Way to Go!: Leandra McNair of Westbury

Leandra McNair of Westbury hit a personal high note earlier this month when she performed the national anthem at the inauguration of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.

McNair, a senior at Long Island High School for the Arts in Syosset, was invited to perform at the event after Mangano's wife, Linda, saw her sing at the annual gala of the Nassau Regional PTA Presidents and Principals in November.

The inauguration was aired on Cablevision's News 12 Long Island and Verizon's FIOS 1 on New Year's Day.

"Every seat was filled," said McNair, 17, of the inauguration at Bethpage High School. "I really like the feeling of performing for a large audience. The energy is just unbelievable."

During her young career, McNair has won first place in Nassau County's "Reach for the Stars" teen talent search and the "Stars of Tomorrow" competition at Apollo Theater in Harlem. She was also a finalist in WOR-AM's "Shining Star'' talent search last year.

Last summer, she interned at Usdan Center for Creative and Performing Arts in Wheatley Heights and has been twice selected to the New York State School of Music Association's all-state and all-county vocal jazz ensembles.