Asa Sanders wins Northwest Idol

SENATOBIA, MS (09/02/2011)(readMedia)-- Northwest Mississippi Community College announced Asa Sanders, a freshman vocal performance major from Hernando, as the winner of the bi-annual "Northwest Idol" on August 30.

The audition for the talent competition was held on August 23 and featured all types of talents, from singers and dancers, to instrumentalists and poets. All Northwest students were eligible to participate at the cost of $3 for participants and $2 to view the show. Out of the students that auditioned, the audience voted for twelve semi-finalists to compete August 29. The three judges, Joel King, Sadie Shannon and Imani Flowers, gave each student feedback on their performance.

Each ticket provided one free vote, and every additional vote cost $1. The proceeds then went to the Northwest Players Club, a campus theatre organization. This contribution helps the organization to attend the American College Theatre Festival to compete for scholarships from among other students from all over the southeast region.

After the twelve semi-finalists competed, the audience voted for the top six to compete in the finals on August 30. After each contestant performed, the three judges and the previous Northwest Idol performed as the votes were tallied. After the brief intermission, Sanders was announced as the winner of Northwest Idol, and Daniel Jones, a freshman theatre major from Kaiserslautern, Germany, was named runner-up. Sanders and Jones both received a trophy.

"I am very very happy," Sanders said. "Most people don't even make it to the finals."

Jones was also pleased with being runner-up. "I feel pretty great. I'm just happy," said Jones. "I have my mom, sisters, friends and people from church all out here supporting me."

The judges commented multiple times about the positive attitudes the contestants had during the entire Idol show. "The competition is growing and students seem to enjoy it," said King, one of the judges for the competition and theatre instructor. "It's a good outlet for students who wouldn't usually get the chance to perform for others. It's always interesting for teachers to see students who don't normally talk in class getting on stage and performing."

The competitors were not the only ones to benefit from Northwest Idol. This competition raised more money for the Northwest Players Club than any previous Northwest Idol. "The talent level is increasing, and we also have more support from the community than ever before," said judge and theatre instructor, Shannon.

The next Northwest Idol will be held in the spring of 2012.

"If you're thinking about doing Northwest Idol, come out and do it," said Jones. "It's kind of scary at first, but when you come on stage and do what you love, it's the best feeling in the world."