ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The "stay in school" message just got a brand new beat.

"Our message is to motivate and inspire students," says Dominoe Farrar.

Farrar and more than a dozen other high school students at the High School of Recording Arts in St. Paul have written, produced, and recorded a song called "Take Control." The song is receiving national recognition.

"We're really proud to be a part of this iniative," says Tony Simmons, HSRA's program director.

"Take Control" has been chosen as the theme song for a campaign called "26 Seconds," a national "stay in school" initiative organized through America's Promise Alliance and State Farm.

According to research, every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school in the United States.

"It's an incredible process for our young people because a lot of them can relate to the fact that dropping out is a serious problem in our country," says Simmons.

One of those students that can relate is Dominoe.

"I was on the verge of dropping out and say forget it," says the HSRA senior. "But if you grind through it now, it will benefit you in the future and that's really our message now."

The high-energy song combines hip-hop, rap, and dance and will soon be given a national spotlight. The group will perform their song on Monday, March 21st in Washington D.C. It will be featured at the "26 Seconds" launch during a national education summit including Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education.

It's students sharing a message their peers can relate to.

"The message comes across when you hear it from kids your ride to school with or play basketball with," says Dominoe. "Those statistics are out of control."

To listen to the song check out the 26 Seconds website.

(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)