By Daniel Morgan, Advertising Manager
West Lib Idol kicked-off at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 2, in a packed Student Union Ballroom at West Liberty University.
15 students participated in the first round of the competition hosted by emcees Kevin Powell and Noah Woods. The panel of judges included Coordinator for Staff Development and Housing Operations Chris McPherson, Associate Professor of Education Dr. Traci Tuttle, Executive Director of Housing & Student Life Marcella Snyder, and Vice President of Student Services/Registrar Scott Cook.
Of the 15 participants, 11 will advance to next week’s round of competition, including, in order of announcement, AJ Holden, Yijing Shen, Zarek Wiley, Cody Waggoner, Emily Chiles, CJ Coakley, Luke Sadecky, Reid Boden, Jessica Crawford, Brooke Dorsey, and Hannah Walters.
Here is each contestant that sang tonight in order of performance:
Zarek Wiley with “In My Head” by Jason Derulo; Kyle Taylor with “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman; Cody Waggoner with “Let Her Go” by Passenger; Emily Chiles with “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada; Vonnie Sweeney with “For The First Time In Forever” from Frozen
Luke Sadecky with “Prettiest Tree on the Mountain” by Ben Sollee; Reid Boden with “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker; Rosie Brill with “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys; Jessica Crawford with “I Wonder” by Kellie Pickler; AJ Holden with “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin;” Yijing Shen with “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan.
Bailee Dugan with “Someone Like You” by Adele; Brooke Dorsey with “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts; CJ Coakley with “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People; and Hannah Walters with “When We Were Young” by Adele.
The program is run by WLU’s Office of Housing and Student Life, including Area Coordinator Jim Compston.
“We started planning for the competition last semester,” WLU senior and Rogers Hall Director Camille Bernabei said. “We’ve been collaborating with local businesses for prizes and with offices around campus to spread the word. We’re excited to see the contestants participating.”
West Lib Idol will continue its competition next Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Student Union Ballroom at 7 p.m. The round will include movie songs.