Community Corner
Saline's Rachael Heilman is a True 'Belieber'
The 2011 Saline High School graduate is in the running for a chance to meet pop star Justin Bieber.
Rachael Heilman knows she's Justin Bieber's biggest fan.
Now she just needs your help in making sure that the pop singer knows it, too.
Rachael, a 2011 Saline High School graduate, is in the running to win two tickets to a Justin Bieber concert and to meet the star backstage, through a contest sponsored by 98.7 Amp Radio.
Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The 20-year-old entered the contest last Friday, along with other fans wanting to meet the pop superstar. The station narrowed all the entries to a top five. Now the Saline woman needs the community's support.
Voting, which ends Monday, can be done on 98.7 FM's website.
Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
While she has entered other contests to meet Bieber, Rachael she said this is the closest she has ever gotten.
“I have been trying to find a way to meet him, so I entered this contest, but never dreamt I would be picked,” she said.
Her mom, Deb, said her daughter is a hard worker and deserves to win.
“She had two things on her bucket list,” Deb said. “One was to meet Kelly Clarkston, and the other to meet Justin Bieber.”
Rachael was able to connect with Clarkston after winning front row seats to her concert.
“Kelly bent down and gave Rachael a thumbs up,” her mom said. “Rachael told Kelly in a calm voice, 'You’re doing a good job.'"
Deb said that’s just the way her daughter is.
“I really admire her,” she said. “She always makes people feel better.”
Deb added that her daughter is also very independent and responsible.
“Rachael pays for her own schooling by picking up odd jobs like babysitting,” she said. “She doesn’t even take out student loans.”
Rachael is a full-time student at Washtenaw Community College, with her sights set on becoming a preschool teacher, and plans to transfer to Eastern Michigan University to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Development.
While attending Saline Area Schools, Rachael worked with disabled children while participating in the Connecting Program in middle and high school. She also worked with students in the latchkey program.
Rachael said she and her mom have worked hard building support online around this latest contest.
“It would mean a lot to me for people to support me,” Rachael said.
