In a scene that mimicked a traditional Mardi Gras celebration. Thousands lined the streets of Abbeville to say congratulations to The Voice finalist, Koryn Hawthorne. A parade, where Koryn sat in a queen’s position, rolled through the city. The 17-year-old Abbeville native waved to fans eager to catch a glimpse of the budding star.

Keiawanna Hawthorne said her step-daughter wished for this opportunity to make it into the Top 5, and return glorious to her hometown.

“Koryn told me, they have a section on The Voice now, like American Idol did and you get to come home and you get to celebrate and I would love to come home and celebrate and sing for my city, so just pray for me that I can do that.”

Magdalen Square was packed with room only to stretch arms up high to record cell phone clips of Koryn.

“You guys are so beautiful. I’m about to cry right now. I’m so thankful to have this experience,” Koryn said.

Mayor Mark Piazza greeted the hometown inspiration with a key to the city and declared May 6^th, 2015 Koryn Hawthorne Day in Abbeville.. Other honors included pendants from representatives of the Giant Omelette festival, and a crowning of Koryn as the Grand Marshall of the upcoming 67th annual Louisiana Cattle Festival.

Koryn’s church choir from Lighthouse for Jesus Ministries, and a band Lafayette’s Crossroads Church backed her as she drew breath for a four-song performance of crowd favorites, like Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” Children sang along, hometown friends cheered, and her mom, Summer Simon, smiled at her daughter’s success.

“To see her now at this stage, being an inspiration to so many people, it’s beyond anything that I could have ever wished for her,” Simon said.

The “highly anointed” singer, as Voice coach Pharrell Williams dubbed her, humbly stayed to sign autographs before heading back to her hotel to await a flight to California.