Ten high school students sang their hearts out Oct. 1, but only one was crowned the Oxford Idol.
And that one was Mallory Skilling.
‘I was really shocked,? said the OHS sophomore. ‘I wasn’t expecting to win.?
Competing before a crowd of 352 friends, parents, siblings and strangers in the Performing Arts Center, the Idol contestants sang songs of their choosing during Round One.
Idol contestants included Erica Marracco, Paul Belmonte, Austin Ryskamp, Ali Simmons, Jon Bivens, Jake Hendricks, Amanda Hauxwell, Alivia Palermo, Kate McQuater and Skilling.
Those who advanced to Round Two sang television theme songs ranging from Saturday morning cartoon favorite ‘Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids? to ‘Movin? On Up? from ‘The Jeffersons.?
After much deliberation a panel of judges consisting of Assistant Principal Paul McDevitt, Kathryn Blaszczyk and Jeremy LaValley selected McQuater, Simmons and Skilling as the three finalists.
During the third and final round, the trio of finalists sang a capella solos that brought the house down.
Although all three gifted young ladies demonstrated immense talent and stage presence, when it came time for the audience to vote, Skilling was the favorite.
‘Thanks to everyone who voted for me,? she said.
During the competition, Skilling, who’s a member of the OHS honors women’s choir known as Caritas, sang ‘I’ll Stand By You? recorded by The Pretenders in 1994 and popularized by Carrie Underwood in 2007, ‘If We Hold on Together? from ‘The Land Before Time? and ‘Bless the Broken Road? by Rascal Flatts.
This is the second American Idol-style competition Skilling has won. The other was during her middle school years back in Webberville, Michigan.
‘I just really like to sing,? said Skilling, who also plays the piano. ‘Music speaks more than anything.?
A fund-raiser for the Oxford Theater Company (formerly known as the OHS Drama Club), Oxford Idol raised a little more than $1,000 for the student group.