Southeast Iowa is ‘Team Cali’ as Salem native makes the top 13 on ‘The Voice’

With hard work, passion and determination, dreams can become a reality. That's what Salem native Cali Wilson represents to those from her hometown.

As Wilson breaks into the top 13 of the singing competition show 'The Voice,” all of Henry County has rallied together to support the 28-year-old singer.

Schools, businesses and town residents alike have been working hard to spread the word and garner support for Wilson as she continues on her journey on the nationally televised show.

Over 100 yard signs decorated with Wilson's picture and the words ‘Team Cali' have sprung up across the county, alongside banners of the contestant outside of businesses and schools proclaiming support.

Chris Feehan, a city council member and business owner in the City of Salem said Wilson's participation on the show has 'put a spotlight on the town.”

'It's amazing, it means everything. She put us on the map … the city is getting behind her and standing behind her and made an investment in banners. We also went around and tied ribbons around trees in [the park], all baby blue, which are the color of her eyes and the color that her mom chose. Everyone in Salem is talking about Cali, everyone is excited, and is very pleased she has shed a positive light on our town,” Feehan explained.

Feehan further articulated that Wilson serves as a 'role model” to kids from small town Iowa.

'She's an example that you can come from a little town like Salem, Iowa and if you work hard enough, you can make it. She was not raised with a silver spoon. She was raised by a single mother, and she worked bagging [groceries] at Hy-Vee for two years to save enough money to move to Nashville,” Feehan added.

Nate Lange, Mt. Pleasant Middle School's principal, echoed Feehan's sentiments about Wilson as a role model to students. As an alum of the district, Wilson has also received support from Mt. Pleasant schools, many of which have posted on social media in support of Wilson. Plans for the singer to speak at assemblies at both Mt. Pleasant Middle School and High School are currently in the works.

'Cali has had a dream and she has worked incredibly hard to achieve that dream. She took a risk moving down to Nashville, that has paid off. That is just a message we are constantly telling our students, there are things out there you're going to be passionate about that take a lot of hard work. Cali Wilson is just a good symbolic person that say it can be done,” Lange remarked.

'There's a long history in Mt. Pleasant of people working hard and achieving their dreams, and we definitely want to broadcast that, especially to middle schoolers who may not necessarily know what they want to do yet … [Cali is an example of] when you set your mind to something, you can do it,” Lange continued.

Schools throughout the district are encouraging students to support and vote for Wilson. The singer has also created videos to be shown to students in schools on the day of the next voting round.

In addition to what her success means to young people in Henry County, Wilson is also a source of local pride that businesses have excitedly rallied around. Golden Eagle Distribution, a company in Mt. Pleasant, has posted on social media in support of Wilson and has invested in signs of the singer, which have been passed out to their clients.

Kristi Spratt, the general manager of the beverage distribution company said the company is always looking for ways to champion locals and their dreams.

'Cali is doing a great job on The Voice … we want her to know that we are behind her too and hope our encouragement inspires her to do her best,” Spratt said.

For Wilson's mother, Carla, seeing the community come together in support of her daughter makes her 'teary-eyed.”

'It's amazing. I had no doubt it would happen really, we're kind of a close-knit community … people in town that have never met her, supported her and everywhere else, I didn't expect that. It's very exciting,” Carla said.

Carla, who used to sing for a living, is happy to see her daughter chase her dreams.

'Seeing people smile when they see her sing, she's living my dream. She worked really hard to get to where she is. She's always playing, writing songs, always singing, she eats, lives and breathes music,” the mother added.

'I think it just shows that people from Iowa are down home, friendly people … I feel like we're a more friendly community and just more caring. Some of these people have never met Cali and they're here backing her up,” Carla continued. In particular, Carla's family, including sisters Deb Wilson, Ruth Allen, as well as Charlie Allen and Marvin Bricker, have helped make trips to California to see Wilson perform possible.

'I just want to say thanks to everybody who has helped … there are so many, I can't name them all,” Carla adamantly repeated, expressing her gratitude.

Wilson herself is also humbled by the support from her hometown.

'I love my support in southeast Iowa. It feels incredible when I know I have all of you in my corner, cheering me on, Every single one of you could help me continue this journey on the show. Your support means the world to me and I'll never [be able] to express how grateful I am for it,” Wilson said.

Wilson continues in the competition on Monday, Nov. 18. That evening's votes will determine whether Wilson will move on as a top 11 competitor.