Meet the Idols

    One student will bask in the glory of being 2008’s new GCSU idol this year, and one lucky non-profit organization will also reap the rewards.
    A weekend of performances will highlight and showcase ten very talented students on Feb.1 with a separate benefit concert and results show on Feb. 2. Shows will be held in Russell Auditorium and the Student Activities Center’s Magnolia Ballroom
     However this year, the spotlight is more than just for that one lucky idol. The spotlight will also shine on the winner and philanthropy of the winner’s choice. And while ticket prices maybe higher than in recent years, the money will be going to a very deserving non-profit.  Presenting the idol hopefuls and the guide to one of this semester’s most exciting event.
    First contestant Ashley Lora, is a junior art and photography major from Metter, Ga. Her chosen non-profit is Painted Turtle Camp, an innovative camp and family care center for children with life-threatening diseases.
    Second contestant Mary Zehner, is a junior Mass communications major from Conyers, Ga. Her chosen philanthropy is the Susan G. Komen Foundation supporting research for the cure of breast cancer.
    Jason Lamson of Richmond Hill, Ga., is a freshman pre-engineering major and will be representing American Diabetes Association. It is the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization advocating for the research and providing information about diabetes.
    Representing St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital is sophomore math education major, Casey Moore of Woodstock, Ga. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital is an internationally renowned organization that leads the fight to finding cures and saving children with pediatric cancer.
    All the way from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, is senior Ajayi Monell. Monell is a mass communications major that will be representing the Big Brothers Big Sister’s Club (BBBS) of Milledgeville. BBBS works with children between the ages of 6 to 18 and matches them with a mentor to help reinforce positive attitudes and foster professional one on one relationships.
    Brittany Lewis, a junior mass communication from Atlanta, Ga., will be benefiting Children’s Miracle Network. CMN is dedicated to raising funds to improve and save the lives of countless children at hospitals across North America.
    From Milledgeville, Ga., is sophomore psychology and criminal justice major Marlon Washington. Washington will be helping Habitat for Humanity. A Christian non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent and affordable housing for people in need.
    Whetherly Peacock of Dublin, Ga., is a junior nursing major. She will be helping National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest mental health organization that is dedicated to helping and improving the lives of persons and their families living with serious mental illness.
    Representing Young Life of Baldwin County is sophomore mass communications major, Dustin Wilson who hails from Trenton, Ga. Young Life is a non-denominational Christian organization dedicated to helping young people find Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith.
    Mallory Jones, a senior mass communications major of Rome, Ga, will be benefiting Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks merged with  National Alliance for Autism Research is the world’s largest organization advocating autism.
    The prices of the tickets for this year’s show has gone up considerably, however, Allia Carter, assistant to the vice president and one of the organizers behind this year’s festivities, believes that students will not be disappointed with the production.
    “We have made sure to make this event bigger and better this year,” Carter said. “The money will also help a great cause so not only will they be enjoying the show but they will also help the community.”
    Among the panel of experts will include third-year judge Dr. Jennifer Flory, who is the director of choral activities and an associate professor of music here ar GCSU.
    “The talent just keeps getting better every year,” Flory said.
    Flory embodies the “nice” persona of Paula Abdul, the American Idol judge from which the GCSU Idol version was derived from.
    “I don’t mind being the nice one,” Flory said. “I like to look at it as constructive criticism. Besides, they all had to audition for this. I’m here to give feedback. Not to make them cry.”
    Another judge, Phillip Joiner, will be returning this season as perhaps the snarky judge ala Simon Cowell. Joiner is a GCSU alumni and has been in the past a regular fixture with the popular GCSU Jazz Band.
    A special guest judge will also be joining the panel. Jimbeau Hinson, is a successful country songwriter He has written hit songs for artist such as David Lee Murphy, 
John Conley and Brenda Lee among others.
    A special guest,  Jennifer Cash, assistant director of the University career center will also be at the show. 

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 1 2008. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry