In Largo, an idol is born

Ten high school students give their all for three judges who choose just one idol.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 16, 2002

LARGO -- They weren't competing for a million-dollar recording contract, but that didn't stop 10 Largo teens from crooning their hearts out.

They were vying for the title of Largo Idol, a Largo High contest patterned after American Idol.

Largo Idol, also a campus fundraiser, was the brainchild of drama department head, Deborah Wortock, who auditioned 30 students two months ago.

Some competed for campus recognition.

"I just transferred here from Kansas and not a lot of people know me or know I can sing," said Theresa Wehner, 17. "I just wanted to show people what I was all about."

But most didn't care if they were campus superstars. They were in it for the feeling of being up on stage.

"When I'm up on stage I'm in my own little world," said Katy Sharp, 15. "It's like heaven."

Largo Idol was set up like the show, with a TV season's worth of competition squeezed into about two hours. And like American Idol it had three judges, with distinct personalities.

There was Traci Burchard, 17, a former student of Wartock's, who provided upbeat feedback; Karen Brotherton, 24, another Largo High graduate and musician, who gave specific constructive criticism; and there was Wayne Anderson, 49, a video and audio producer, who like Simon Cowell on the show, rarely pulled punches.

During Thursday night's contest, Anderson told several singers "Work on your pitch, your tone, your delivery and your accuracy," often to howls and hisses from loyal fans.

Actually in the TV show, the audience had more power, deciding the winner with phone in votes. Here the judges ruled.

The competition had three key rounds. During the first, all singers performed an oldie of their choice. Next, after the competition was narrowed down to five semifinalists, each performed a love song. And in the final round, two singers vied for the Idol title with Before Your Love, which was performed by American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson on the show.

Brittney Marko, 17, was one of five teens the judges adored in round one. Wearing a red tank dress draped in black tulle, she jived across stage booming out Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Several performers wowed the crowd of more than 300 hundred, but didn't get overwhelming support from the judges.

Girls in the audience swooned and screamed as Will Toro, 16, strutted across the stage singing My Girl by the Temptations.

Five semifinalists made the first cut, Marko, Sharp, Joelle Jantomaso, 14, Helena Kletch, 16, and Amanda Thompson, 17.

There were several strong performances, but Jantomaso and Thompson stole the show.

Jantomaso blew the audience away with her super smooth rendition of To Find My Strength by Christian music artist Natalie Grant.

And Thompson's, powerhouse presentation of Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing, drove fans to their feet.

During the final round, the girls battled it out on stage, while holding hands and hugging each other between songs.

But it was Thompson's bold performance and rich vibrato that won her the title of Largo Idol.

"My inspiration comes thoroughly and only from God," Thompson said minutes before winning the grand prize, a bouquet of flowers, a trophy and a $50 check.

Thompson, who has never been in a school musical and has no formal voice training, said her pop star career is up in the air.

"I would like to pursue something musically because that's where my heart is, but I just don't know."

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