MOOSE JAW, Sask. (CP) _ Canadian Idol runner-up Theresa Sokyrka visited her former elementary school in Moose Jaw on Friday where an enthusiastic young crowd took in her music and her message.

Sokyrka entered the gym at St. Michael school wearing her trademark spectacles and a brown T-shirt and jeans. A sunny yellow guitar strap adorned with sunflowers held the acoustic guitar she carried.

"I've got to admit, the gym looks a little smaller now,'' Sokyrka said as she took stock of the space where she used to play. "Maybe it's because I grew.''

She and her family left Moose Jaw when she was in Grade 2.

In her role as Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 youth ambassador, Sokyrka not only performed her new songs, she told the crowd of schoolchildren that success is possible in Saskatchewan.

"Who's proud of being from Saskatchewan?'' the 23-year-old singer asked the kids, who came in on a day off to see her. A cheer erupted as the children waved their arms in the air.

"I'm here to tell you guys that you can all do really amazing things in your lives, she said. "No matter where you are and no matter how small you are, you can do great big things.''

Sokyrka said she chose to record her first CD entirely in Saskatoon.

"That's proof that you really can do anything you want to do in Saskatchewan,'' she said.

Her new CD, These Old Charms, is set for release at the end of April.