The singing sensations of Staten Island's PS 22 Chorus shined as bright as Tinseltown's biggest stars on Sunday night with a heartwarming performance that closed the Academy Awards.
The fifth-grade phenoms took the stage of the Kodak Theatre and belted out a version of "Over the Rainbow" that won a standing ovation from Hollywood's most elegant elite - and high-fives from actress Anne Hathaway.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, it was really crazy. When we ended on the final note, I started jumping up and down and crying. I cried for a long, long time I was so happy," a breathless Azaria Chamorro, 10, said after the performance.
She saw Whitney Houston and Brad Pitt from the stage, then turned around to meet Best Actress winner Natalie Portman. "I got to hold an Oscar, too. It was really, really heavy," Azaria said.
Choral director Gregg Breinberg, who directed the kids with his trademark flailing arms, called the performance his proudest moment.
"I'm flying so high right now. It was everything we hoped and then some," he said. "I was worried that after they announced Best Picture everyone would start walking out, but that audience really gave the kids the respect they deserve. Everyone came up afterward and said we stole the show."
Students from Staten Island's PS 22 arrive at the Oscars. (Pizzello/AP)
He said some students saw actor Hugh Jackman in the front row and were excited to sing for Wolverine, Jackman's "X-Men" character.
"Getting a standing ovation was the best. I was about to cry, but then I realized I'm on national TV," said Denise Bestman, 10. "It was awesome."
The choir's star turn on Hollywood's biggest stage was beamed to millions of homes in more than 200 countries.
Relatives of chorus member Brianna Crispino screamed when the kids filed onstage wearing their Public School 22 T-shirts and ear-to-ear smiles.
"That's her! That's her," yelled mom Christa Maniglia, 35, pointing at the screen.
"It was a beautiful way to close out the Oscars," she said. "I'm so proud. ... She'll never forget this. She was on TV, but it wasn't just TV, it was the Oscars."
The family - including four former members of the famed choir - feasted on pasta, chicken and corned beef as they sat glued to the show all night.
The 64 student singers, who are YouTube superstars, are scheduled to join Oprah Winfrey for her Oscar special Monday.
ndillon@nydailynews.com
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