Jets Welcome Morristown ONSTAGE Winner To Sing National Anthem

MORRISTOWN, NJ — One young singer took her talents from Morristown to MetLife Stadium. Maya Bhide, a winner in Morristown ONSTAGE, sang the national anthem Aug. 27 before the Jets faced the Eagles in the preseason.

Bhide, of Randolph, won the 18 and Under category and Top Vocalist at Morristown ONSTAGE 2021. The competition features the best amateur talent from those who live, work, train or attend school in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains, along with Morristown High School alumni.

Watch Bhide perform here.

Bhide is a junior at the Morristown-Beard School. She received the Jets' Take Flight Award at an all-virtual show in March, giving her the opportunity to audition. Having rehearsed the song and arrangement three or four times a day about two weeks before the game, Bhide felt calm and confident.

“It was incredible singing in front of thousands of people — it felt like I was on top of the world,” Bhide said. “I briefly saw myself on the big screen in the beginning and end of my performance, and that got my adrenaline pumping. I will remember having my family by my side and all the love and positive energy that comes from the crowd. And I want to thank Morristown ONSTAGE and the New York Jets for giving me this amazing opportunity.”

Melanie Smith, Morristown ONSTAGE event chair, praised Bhide for her rendition of the anthem.

“Her performance of Mariah Carey’s 'Hero' at Morristown ONSTAGE was indeed a showstopper," Smith said, "but watching her sing the national anthem in front of a crowd of this magnitude was extremely special.”

Morristown ONSTAGE was created to further the Morris Educational Foundation’s ability to distribute financial and other resources to and for the Morris School District for enrichment programs and other projects. The 2021 all-virtual event successfully raised $150,000 for the MEF.

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