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PITTSBURG —
A few sang a capella and several wrote their own songs. Others put their own special sound on songs made famous by other artists.
A total of 21 talented young area young people took part in the 10th annual Pittsburg Idol competition Saturday in Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium.
“It’s been a really good competition this year,” said Kim Vogel, director of the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department, which conducts the event with sponsorship from Community National Bank and Trust.
Bob Burk and Mike Lewark were emcees for the event, and judges Maggie Stuckey, Megan Hizey and Kaye Lewis had to listen to competitors, score them and come up with the top three winners in each age category.
“I’m glad we’re up here on stage and not having to do the judging,” Burk said.
Winners in the 7-11 age category were McKenna Shaw, Pittsburg, first; Parker Leas, Baxter Springs, second; and Kiera Threlfall, Frontenac, third.
Winning in the 12-14 age category were: Jessica Zamora, Pittsburg, first; Olivia Wu, Joplin, second; and Zoey Ball, West Mineral, third.
Abbi Epperson, Pittsburg, placed first in the 15-16 age category, followed by Elllie Dearring, Arcadia, who sang an original song, “With You,” in second place. In third place was Shelden Jamison, who also sang an original song, “When Love Waits,” and accompanied herself on piano.
Epperson sang “On My Own” from “Les Miserables,” in which the street waif Eponine sings of her hopeless love for a man who loves another.
“I was almost crying at the end,” she said.
Lewark said that Epperson, 15, has competed in all 10 Pittsburg Idol shows.
“At 5 years old she came out and sang ‘Amazing Grace’,” he said.
Epperson has placed every year and this is her fourth time to win first place.
Zamora sang “Want You Back,” a song she really loves.
“This is my fourth year at Pittsburg Idol,” she said. “I placed third once, but this is my first time to get first place.”
This year the two emcees also presented award’s to their personal choices. Lewark presented his award to Emily Sanders, Asbury, Mo., who competed in the 15-16 age category.
“My goosebump moment came from Zoey Battaglia,” Burk said.
Battaglia, Pittsburg, 12, sang Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Other contestants were Mia Battaglia, Kate Walrod, Katelyn Abarca and Joy Lee, 7-11 age category; Morgan Michael, Kortney Sills and Cassie Hurt-McLarty, 12-14 age category; and Tia Brandon, Jesslynn Ewan and Courtney Cornell, 15-16 age category.
Also performing in the show were previous Idol winners Lindsey Hart, Mary Farmer and Jackie Newland, with a special guest performance by Maggie Stuckey.
A few sang a capella and several wrote their own songs. Others put their own special sound on songs made famous by other artists.
A total of 21 talented young area young people took part in the 10th annual Pittsburg Idol competition Saturday in Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium.
“It’s been a really good competition this year,” said Kim Vogel, director of the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department, which conducts the event with sponsorship from Community National Bank and Trust.
Bob Burk and Mike Lewark were emcees for the event, and judges Maggie Stuckey, Megan Hizey and Kaye Lewis had to listen to competitors, score them and come up with the top three winners in each age category.
“I’m glad we’re up here on stage and not having to do the judging,” Burk said.
Winners in the 7-11 age category were McKenna Shaw, Pittsburg, first; Parker Leas, Baxter Springs, second; and Kiera Threlfall, Frontenac, third.
Winning in the 12-14 age category were: Jessica Zamora, Pittsburg, first; Olivia Wu, Joplin, second; and Zoey Ball, West Mineral, third.
Abbi Epperson, Pittsburg, placed first in the 15-16 age category, followed by Elllie Dearring, Arcadia, who sang an original song, “With You,” in second place. In third place was Shelden Jamison, who also sang an original song, “When Love Waits,” and accompanied herself on piano.
Epperson sang “On My Own” from “Les Miserables,” in which the street waif Eponine sings of her hopeless love for a man who loves another.
“I was almost crying at the end,” she said.
Lewark said that Epperson, 15, has competed in all 10 Pittsburg Idol shows.
“At 5 years old she came out and sang ‘Amazing Grace’,” he said.
Epperson has placed every year and this is her fourth time to win first place.
Zamora sang “Want You Back,” a song she really loves.
“This is my fourth year at Pittsburg Idol,” she said. “I placed third once, but this is my first time to get first place.”
This year the two emcees also presented award’s to their personal choices. Lewark presented his award to Emily Sanders, Asbury, Mo., who competed in the 15-16 age category.
“My goosebump moment came from Zoey Battaglia,” Burk said.
Battaglia, Pittsburg, 12, sang Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Other contestants were Mia Battaglia, Kate Walrod, Katelyn Abarca and Joy Lee, 7-11 age category; Morgan Michael, Kortney Sills and Cassie Hurt-McLarty, 12-14 age category; and Tia Brandon, Jesslynn Ewan and Courtney Cornell, 15-16 age category.
Also performing in the show were previous Idol winners Lindsey Hart, Mary Farmer and Jackie Newland, with a special guest performance by Maggie Stuckey.
