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News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Ashdon Dennison, 7, of Avon Park throws a handful of glitter after his performance of ÔDiamonds' on Thursday evening during Heartland Idol's junior semi-finals at the YMCA in Sebring.

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published: Sunday, February 24, 2013

Teen, Jr. Idol finalists chosen, adult qualifiers set

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - Heartland Idol fans packed the Highlands County YMCA pavilion area Thursday night to watch the battle of the voices. The semi-final rounds of Junior and Teen Idol were exciting and jam-packed with talent.

The six Idol judges were laying on the compliments as well as the constructive criticism for each of the 17 aspiring singers.

Five contestants from each division were chosen to move on to the next round following Thursday's performances.

The junior idol performers that were selected to move on to next week's show were: Kalie Christian, 12, Sebring; Ashdone Dennison, 7, Avon Park; Mariah Finney, 12, Avon Park; Bella Marerro, 8, Sebring; and Caitlin Siness, 11, Sebring.

Each of the five singers amped up their previous performances with the help of an instrumental music track which is brought in after the qualifying rounds. Songs ranging in genre from classic Disney ballads to current pop-chart hits were belted out by the five talented singers.

The overly-talented teen division was also narrowed down to five performers. Singers Kiana Vassell, 15, Avon Park; Sareena Stoner, 13, Sebring; Nala Price, 14, Sebring; Olivia Hitt, 17, Sebring; and Cammie Lister, 13, Sebring, all gave mesmerizing performances that gained them entry into the next round of competition. Judges were blown away by the big voices and song selection of each of the teen competitiors but had a hard time narrowing it down to just five.

The competition is so close in the teen division that emcee David Flowers revealed that the scores between the teen winners were only four points separating first and second places.

The Heartland Idol competition will continue next Thursday with the Jr. Idol Finale and the first round of the Adult Qualifier.

The Teen division will wrap up two weeks from now on Thursday, March 7 for the Teen Finale and second round of the Adult Qualifier. All shows kick-off at the Highlands County YMCA at 6 p.m.