- November 6, 2024
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To celebrate the end of the year and its sixth-graders' promotion to middle school, Rymfire Elementary held its fourth-quarter No Referral Dance on Tuesday, May 23, at Rymfire.
Instead of recruiting a seasoned veteran DJ to pump up the students, Rymfire asked one of its own — sixth-grader Kaelum White Jr. or “DJ Kid K”— to spin records and excite his peers, which he did for two hours.
From the moment the soon-to-be seventh-graders crowded into the gym to school release, Kaelum was often bombarded with compliments, music requests, and he gained a new fan base.
He’s experienced very few feelings that beat out the one he gets when he puts on a crowd favorite, and his audience gives its seal of approval by turning to him, jumping up and down and singing and dancing to his music.
Most of the students, like his friend Justin Setaram, were surprised to see Kaelum DJ so well.
“I’ve known him since third grade, and I never knew he DJ-ed until this year,” Justin said. “He’s amazing, and he seems to have a lot of fun with it.”
Kaelum was first inspired to DJ when he visited his godfather, Nicholas Marrero, in Miami. He returned home with a mini mixing board, and that’s when his parents, Kaelum Sr. and Yasenia Montes, realized DJ-ing was a gift and began to purchase more expensive equipment.
In the last two years, Kaelum has DJ-ed Flagler Palm Coast girls basketball games and other FPC sports events. He’s done sweet 16s, family parties, Hangar 15, Europa Lounge and Bistro and other events.
“Nick used to travel from Miami to DJ for our family,” Montes said, “but now that Kaelum has the equipment and is able to do it, Nick’s happy he doesn't have to travel with his stuff.”
“We are a family that loves to party,” Montes said. “We play music when we cook, clean, sit around and play games. It's like a club in my house every Friday, because Kaelum plays music, and our friends come over and play cards and hang out.”
Kaelum will DJ a wedding this weekend, and, only 12 years old, he’s already getting paid for his services. When asked what he was saving up for, Kaelum said college, a car and a house.
Even with a job that usually takes up his weekends, Kaelum always finds time for his schoolwork and family. He has been awarded a Terrific Kid Award every year in elementary school, and, after every DJ gig, he takes his mother to Steak ‘n Shake.
“Kaelum is a loving kid and loves to see other people happy,” his mother said. “I believe that's what he loves most about DJ-ing.”
Call 283-2297 or 864-2155 for rates and booking information for DJ Kid K.
