On April 26th, Apex High’s gym was filled with music and purpose during its first-ever Battle of the Bands, an exciting event that brought together student musicians from across North Carolina using music as a platform to support youth mental health. What made this night even more special was that it was organized by Apex High junior Laya Nathan. With proceeds benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the event not only showcased incredible local talent but also raised awareness for youth mental health. So, what sparked Laya’s passion for this cause, and how did she manage to bring it all together? I asked her to find out.

1) What inspired you to organize Battle of the Bands at Apex?
“My musical passion inspired my vision: to create a platform where high school musicians from across Wake County could perform, share their talents, compete, and connect through music, all while supporting youth mental wellness,” said Laya. “Mental health is something I care deeply about, and through music, I wanted to raise awareness and funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).” Laya’s love for music became the heart of the event. She saw a need for more opportunities for young musicians to share their talents and also recognized how deeply mental health impacts today’s youth. Several high school rock bands performed throughout the event, with Cougars Rock, Apex High’s own rock band club, serving as the host band. The event drew a huge crowd, with hundreds of people showing up to support the event, including Mayor Gilbert and the Executive Director of NAMI North Carolina, who spoke about the importance of youth mental health. One of the night’s many highlights was the impressive panel of judges, which included Miss North Carolina 2012 Arlie Honeycutt Kidd, Band Together’s Director of Operations Sarah Pierson, and Bao Huong, a music producer and performer. The panel brought professional insight to the student performances and gave helpful feedback to each band. The winning group, Walkout, stood out with their original songs, while Sweet Obsession earned second place. Thanks to Band Together NC, the winners received VIP tickets to the “Mighty Giveback” concert this fall. Every participating band and judge also received generous gifts through sponsorships, including free dance classes, bowling passes, and more.

2) What advice would you give to other students who want to organize an event like this at Apex?
“An event like this has a lot of moving parts, so planning ahead and being strategic with timing was essential,” Laya shared. “I had to rent the space from Apex High and cover insurance costs, which was a very time-consuming process. I developed a basic financial plan to manage expenses and sought out sponsorships and in-kind support from local businesses and nonprofits. From inviting bands and promoting the event through social media to arranging the stage and instrument setup, assembling a judging panel, building the event schedule, and managing volunteers, every detail had to align. It was a major commitment, but balancing creativity with logistics and financial planning taught me what it really takes to turn an idea into reality.” Her biggest advice to others: start early, stay organized, and be ready for surprises. Through it all, she learned valuable lessons about leadership, budgeting, and the teamwork needed to bring a big idea to life.

With the help of her team and supporters, Laya raised thousands of dollars for NAMI and created an unforgettable night for both performers and the community. “A huge thank you to my bandmates in Cougars Rock, especially Shea Kavanaugh, who brought all the equipment, and to Ms. Shipley, my amazing advisor,” Laya added. “She was such a huge support and helped me pull the whole event together.” Battle of the Bands wasn’t just a concert — it was a celebration of youth leadership, local talent, and the power of music to make a difference.