Voters select Schaumburg Idol

The singing contest began with 12. It ended with one Schaumburg Idol.

Schaumburg Idol, the Schaumburg Park District's annual search for the next singing superstar, reached its final round last week with Emily Whaley, 14, and Marissa Glosny, 16, in the lead. At the results show, Glosny went home with the title of this year's Schaumburg Idol.

With both girls winning over the judges from the first round, only one was able to take home the title. The winner was determined by a combination of the judges' votes and the community.

Glosny, a junior at York Community High School, has been singing since she was 3. Inspired by her mother's love for singing, she has performed in local and state competitions. Despite her love for singing, Glosny plans to follow her passion for science and math by pursuing a career in medicine, possibly as an orthopedic surgeon.

“I've met so many great girls during this competition and have become close friends with Emily,” said Glosny. “The judges and other contestants have been really helpful.”

Glosny performed songs from her idols Carrie Underwood and Christina Aguilera.

Glosny competed against Whaley for the title of this year's Schaumburg Idol.

Whaley, an incoming freshman at Schaumburg High School, is a musical theater aficionado with many park district musicals under her belt. Past credits since age 8 include leads in “Seussical” and “Annie.”

“Music always has been in my life. My parents sang to me since I was little,” said Whaley. “I am very thankful to have been a part of Schaumburg Idol. It taught me more about my vocal range.”

Whaley's career aspirations are music oriented with interest in working in the music industry as a performer or becoming a teacher due to her love for working with children. Whaley, who performed “Defying Gravity” and “Don't Rain on my Parade” in past rounds, credits Barbra Streisand, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth as her inspirations.

“Like ‘American Idol,' the community voted for who they thought should win on the park district's website,” said park district Cultural Arts supervisor Beth Waller. “Both girls truly were amazing.”

This year's contestants also included Tadajah Coleman, Shanelle Farr, Mary Geraci, Victoria Geraci, Kailey Grove, Natalia Markiewicz, Brina Miller, Jacque Miller, Josie Treffy and Courtney Young.

For information and to watch this season's Schaumburg Idol performances, visit www.parkfun.com.