Talented doesn’t even begin to describe the diverse group of singers who performed during last week’s Oxford Idol competition held in the OHS Performing Arts Center.
Presented by the Oxford High School Theater Company, the 5th annual event featured 15 students singing an eclectic mix of rock, country, pop and soul.
After three rounds of competition, the 320-member audience voted to award freshman Nico McNeil the 2009 Oxford Idol title.
Accompanied by his acoustic guitar, McNeil wowed the crowd with his amazing renditions of ‘Dead or Alive? by Bon Jovi, ‘Free Falling? by Tom Petty, ‘Simple Man? by Lynyrd Skynyrd and ‘Cumbersome? by Seven Mary Three.
Perhaps the most unique performance of the evening was delivered by finalist Narunya Rueangcharoenthum, a foreign exchange student who sang a beautiful song from her native Thailand during competition’s first round.
Finalist Jalen Seawright, a senior who won the Idol title as a freshman back in 2006, showed he was truly a class act by dedicating his last song of the night to fellow contestant Ali Simmons, who didn’t earn a spot in the third round despite a very vocal contingent of fans in the front row.
Assistant Principal Paul McDevitt, social studies teacher Kathryn Blaszczyk and physical education teacher Katie Goetz served as judges for the first two rounds. Hosting this year’s Idol contest were students R.J. Balde, Jordan Macocha and Paul Belmonte.
The event earned $930 for the OHS Theater Company, which will be performing ‘Dracula? on Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31) at 1 and 7 p.m.