HAMILTON — Listening to Aida star Kelli Fournier tell of her success since her 1991 graduation from Hamilton High School inspired sophomore Morgan Scruggs.

        “You wouldn't think somebody from Hamilton could be such a big (star),” said Morgan, 16. “It kind of gives us confidence.”

        Ms. Fournier is appearing through Feb. 17 at the Aronoff Center as Amneris in Aida. On Monday, she came to her alma mater and spoke to 100 drama, vocal and instrumental students. She also was made an honorary member of Thespian Troupe 1980.

        “It's a homecoming for me,” Ms. Fournier said while signing pictures in the fine arts office. “It's great to be back here. I wanted to come back and give back a little. I wanted to tell them all the things I wished somebody had told me.”

        The former cheerleader joked about not being able to find the school entrance since an expansion was completed last month. She told the students the stage seemed much smaller than what she remembered when she portrayed Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, or performed with the Rhapsody in Blue show choir.

        Asked how it felt to be back in the auditorium after a nearly 11-year absence, Ms. Fournier had one word to describe it.

        "Weird, really weird. When I was here, oh, about 18,000 years ago, I thought I was good back then,” she said. “I used to think this was huge.”

        She urged the students to be prepared for an audition, and said that for every audition she draws on characteristics of people she knew in Hamilton to get into character. When she finishes Aida next fall, Ms. Fournier said she wants to audition for a television pilot or try for a screen role.

        “I want to do a little of everything,” Ms. Fournier said.

        “I think we learned a lot from her,” said 15-year-old Nikkole Glenn. “Everyone makes fun of Hamilton. She's shown us someone from Hamilton can get somewhere.”

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