The former Kanahooka High student participated in the school’s K Factor competition, winning it twice before stepping back from the limelight to encourage others and become a judge.

Co-ordinator of the alternative education unit Jos Burns created the talent quest five years ago as a positive project for Indigenous students, that could still involve the entire school during NAIDOC week celebrations.

“They own it, they run it, they have pride and respect it,” said Ms Burns.

The growth for the Indigenous students working to put on the event was phenomenal she said, especially as education had not always been a positive experience for them.

While Kanahooka is not a performing arts school she said the competition still uncovered some exceptional performers over the years with soloists, bands, pianists, and even comedians.

“We’ve had students come out of the woodwork who you wouldn’t even know could sing a tune, and all of a sudden get up onstage and launch into something pretty amazing,” she said. “Cyrus was obviously one of the first that did that.”

Celebrating a young person’s talent helps build their confidence and credibility she said, becoming mini-celebrities within their school and the Dapto community.

“Cyrus’s first standing ovation was on K Factor in front of a crowd with 100 people,” she laughed.

After winning the quest twice, the humble singer stood down from competing to let others have a turn at being the star, and give help to those performing.

Ms Burns remembers he was an all rounder which other students either loved or hated, because he could play sports, he was good at public speaking, and “could quite comfortably do anything”.

As for Mr Villanueva’s passion to give back to the school community, Ms Burns said that was unique to Kanahooka High School as they’ve had many “incredible kids from tough communities”.

“We’ve had children from the support unit up onstage that have ceberal palsy or down syndrome doing performances and everybody gets behind them - and Cyrus is just a product from that environment,” she said.

Moving forward, Ms Burns believes there’s a number of other emerging singers from Kanahooka High School which could easily flourish in the entertainment world.

“I guess it’s a watch this space.”

Cyrus Villanueva remains in the final eight after making it past the double elimination on Tuesday.