Dozens to participate in N.A. Idol

The curtain opens at 7 p.m. Tuesday, offering dozens of local students a chance to put their talents on display at center stage. The ninth annual North Augusta Idol talent show, a production of the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council, is to be held in the auditorium at North Augusta High School.

This year's show is to be directed by Carol Terry and organized by Peggy Burnett.

This year's performers from the high-school level include Skyler Hyde, scheduled to perform vocals and guitar on "The Ocean;" Ariana Williams, singing and playing guitar on "3 Cheers Goodbye;" Kayla Howard, singing "Hallelujah;" Katy Dyches, singing "Think of Me;" Janna A. Lee, singing "Gravity;" Juliann Lloyd, singing and playing piano on "Imagine;" and Mary Tabor, dancing to "This Woman's Work."Anna Hendrick, also representing North Augusta High School, is part of a five-member band performing "I Refuse." Her bandmates, all from Paul Knox Middle School, are Allison Hendrick, Sarah Bigger, Brian Schaade and Jordan Gambrell.

Also representing Paul Knox will be Skilyr Hicks, singing and playing guitar on "Brand New Day;" and Hannah Adkinson, singing "Walk on the Water."

North Augusta Middle's soloists are to be Carly Wolf, clogging to "Think;" Sarah Sylvester, singing "Blown Away;" Jackson Cooper, singing "Grenade;" Baileigh Price, singing "Skyscraper;" and Kevin Arnold, singing, "Bring Him Home."North Augusta Middle also has two groups: Michael Nicholson, Kyle Simpkins, Zach Mooney and Dylan Smith, performing "How It Ends," as a percussion ensemble; and the dancing duo of Parker Blackburn and Sarah Ann Tabor, with "Fashionista."

At the elementary level, several performers are from Hammond Hill, including Linda Barrett, singing "The Prayer;" Janae Elliott, playing "Heart and Soul," on piano; Heidi Coughenour, singing "Castle on a Cloud;" Jordan Rose Parker, singing "I Dreamed a Dream;" and a duo comprised of Nadia Blackwood and Olivia Dill, singing "Girl on Fire."

Also at the elementary level will be Zoe Cooper, representing Belvedere and dancing to "Something to Dance for;" Tyreek Jennings, representing Mossy Creek and dancing to "Beat It;" and North Augusta's Taylor Dorville and Iris Nichols, singing "The Same Heart" in a duet.

Tickets, at $5 each for anyone age 5 or older, are to be available at the door.

In keeping with tradition, proceeds from the show (aside from prizes for the winners) will help bankroll a fine-arts scholarship for a senior who is graduating this year.

Applicants are still being accepted. Eligibility requirements include residence in the Aiken County Area Two school district and attendance in a school within that area.

"He or she must demonstrate excellence in an art form. Eligible applicants must intend to enroll in an accredited college, university, or other institution of formal education in the fall of 2013 to pursue continued training in the respective art discipline," according to the arts council's promotional material. The application deadline is March 31.

Details on the scholarship are available at www.naartscouncil.org/common/content.asp?PAGE=359 and from Ken Smith, the council's director, at 442-7588.