Koryn's return to Abbeville was memorable

It’s back to work for Abbeville’s own Koryn Hawthorne after a crazy couple of days in Abbeville.
Today she is back in Los Angeles recovering after her two-day experience in Abbeville last week.
Koryn, 17, sings on The Voice Monday between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. She will learn on Tuesday if she advances to the Top 4.
Last week, after spending a month in Los Angeles, Koryn was able to fly home for two days, and NBC filmed her homecoming.
She first arrived and then went to Abbeville High where there were more than 600 students yelling for her in the gymnasium.
Then came the most shocking, and yet the most thrilling moment of her return home. Koryn, her family, her school Lighthouse Prep, along with other bands and floats took part in a parade.
When her float rolled in front of Magdalen Square, in front of the Bank of Abbeville, she saw for the first time how many people were on hand to congratulate her and hear her sing.
“The most shocking thing was when I got to the top of Magdalen Square,” said Koryn. “At that moment, I just broke down and began crying. I did not expect that many people. That was the most surprising part of my trip. I became so thankful for the moment and opportunity.”
There were more than a 1,000 fans jammed into and around the Square to watch her perform.
“My trip to Abbeville was beyond words,” said Koryn on Friday from Los Angeles. ‘There were many surprises. There were so many people who came out that I did not think would come. I still think that I am normal, but it was really amazing for the support I had. It was humbling. I became so thankful.”
After she performed around five songs, she eventually went home to meet family and friends. It was also a chance for her to catchup on her Cajun cooking.
She loaded up on eating boiled crawfish, Cajun fettuccine and fried chicken while in Abbeville. “I got caught up on my Cajun food,” she said.
Koryn and some family members left Friday for Los Angeles. Leaving her family and friends was difficult, she said.
“It was hard to leave,” she said. “My little brother was crying, so he was hard to leave. It was hard to leave the food and family. I miss home, but I love music.”
Now that she is back in Los Angeles, she and her teammate Sawyer Fredericks are busy learning their new songs that they will sing on Monday. Heading into the Top 5’s performance, Koryn said she will be “really nervous.”
On May 18 is the finals of “The Voice.”
“Things go by so fast,” she said. “Before you know it, it is time to perform. You just go out and perform. I am excited but at the same time I am really nervous.”
Because she went home for two days, Koryn said she will be working extra hard to learn her new songs for Monday’s show.
“It was worth it,” she added.