Better Late Than Never, Rihanna Meets With Barrington Students

BARRINGTON, Ill. (CBS) -- Barrington High School students on Friday cheered music idol Rihanna, who came to their northwest suburb to thank them for their efforts to raise money for charity.

She was a little tardy for the occasion. The event at the high school gymnasium was supposed to start at 2 p.m. but didn't happen until after 5 p.m. Rihanna blamed rush-hour traffic for the delay and Tweeted a picture of her vehicle in bumper-to-bumper traffic as she was on the way.

Some students bailed out before she arrived, expressing disappointment, but 2,500 were on hand and reacted wildly when Rihanna arrived and appeared onstage. The singer stuck around for about 15 minutes and posed for pictures with some students, before she was hustled out.

The recording superstar was in town for a concert at the United Center Friday evening and had scheduled the visit after several Barrington High School students won a national video contest she sponsored. The local students documented their efforts to raise money for charity, set to the pop diva's tune "Shine Bright Like A Diamond."

"I was so impressed," Rihanna told students of their work. "I was so touched seeing the video, I wanted to make sure I came and expressed that to you guys in person."