Marquardt, Patterson win Idol titles
The final night of Vandalia Idol saw two Vandalia Idols chosen.
This was the first year for two age divisions, as requested by past participants.
Taylen Wesselman, Olivia Marquardt, Ravyn Gauch and Parker Karrick competed for the honor of becoming the 2013 Vandalia Idol in the youth division, for contestants 14 years old or younger.
The judges had a tough competition to judge, but after the numbers were tallied Marquardt, of Vandalia, became the 2013 Vandalia Idol with her rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”
Gauch, of Mulberry Grove, was a very close second with her acapello rendition of “ Swinging Door.”
In the adult division Olivia Bowen, Marc Patterson, Chelsea Jenkins and Jake Hathaway presented a varied selection of music for the judges to hear.
Age and experience seemed to be the key, as the judges said it was difficult to pick a clear winner. But when all totals were in, Patterson, of Woodlawn, was selected as the 2013 Vandalia Idol, with Jenkins, of Greenville, taking second place.
The audience had the opportunity to vote for any of the eight contestants for the ”People’s Choice Award.” Gauch was chosen as the winner of that award.
The 2011 Women’s Opportunity Award winner, Kathy Critchloe of Vandalia, was a guest speaker between divisions, and the three local judges – Connie Bolyard, DeWayne Brown and Michelle Weaver – provided musical entertainment while the votes were counted.
Erica Foltz of WPMB/WKRV was the mistress of ceremonies for the event.