Bartlett selects its 'Idols'

What has over 300 audience members, five judges, and 40 competitors? If you guessed Bartlett Idol you're right!

On Friday, Feb. 18, the Bartlett Community Center Oak Room was buzzing with excitement as the first competitor took the stage.

From Jason Mraz to Taylor Swift for the youth and “You Raise Me Up” to “Cry Me a River” for the teen and adults the music was varied and wonderful. Competitors from all over Bartlett came out to shine for their five minutes of fame on the stage hoping to woo the judges to award them the 2011 Bartlett Idol title in their age division.

Contestants are critiqued on a scale of 100 by each judge and those scores are added together to find the average. The highest average in each age division is declared the new Bartlett Idol.

This year the winners of the Bartlett Idol title are: Youth: Alyssa Harvey, Tween: Jillian Zaguirre, Teen I: Molli Miller, Teen II: Nicholas Petrelli, and Adult II: Austin Hopkins. Also on hand to entertain were previous Bartlett Idol winners: Derek Brown, Naomi Latta, Alexa Molidor, Shealeigh Voitl, and Samantha Lazarra.

Bartlett Idol is sponsored by Comcast, who was on hand giving out premiums, raffle prizes, and videotaping the event for their cable On Demand feature where local community events are taped, edited, and broadcast two-three weeks after the event.

Bartlett Idol started out as an idea from Bartlett Park District Executive Director Rita Fletcher to capitalize on the fever of “American Idol.” Five years later, drawing the most competitors and crowd ever, it is evident that the fever continues. For more information about Bartlett Idol or any Bartlett Park District event visit bartlettparks.org or call (630) 540-4800.

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