Ne-Yo stepped out the studio to visit a New York City high school to serve as a principal for the day, VIBE reports. The Non-Fiction crooner stopped by to commend the High School for Fashion Industries, who won the Capital One Bank NYC College challenge by having the most students fill out their FAFSA applications, with 68 percent.
Ne-Yo’s stint as principal for day was in collaboration with GetSchooled, a non-profit organization that encourages college enrollment that has also brought celebs like ScHoolboy Q, Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar to different HS classrooms.
“I have a slightly different microphone and I have to make sure people know this is an issue that needs to be reached,” he said about teaming up with GetSchooled.
Edward Montesdeoca, Capital One Bank’s Regional Executive, said that bringing stars into the academic setting helps communicate a valuable message to the students.
“It’s hip and it reaches the students that we want to reach, which are students that may doubt themselves at times because of either their grades, accessibility or affordability,” he said. “So it’s such a great program to reach the students that probably need it the most.”
Ne-Yo also performed “Miss Independent” during his visit.