North Augusta Today

At the end of an exciting night of 20 performances March 24, judges were in consensus in naming the 2009 North Augusta Idol.

"The moment she walked on stage her stage presence radiated, her voice quality was just superb and then her rendition of the song, she just nailed it," said judge Larry Grayson, of North Augusta High School's Gayleisha Bryant.

The 16-year-old's vocal performance of At Last led to a unanimous decision to name her the North Augusta Idol.

"I was surprised and very excited," she said. "I didn't think I'd win."

The sophomore has competed in the contest four years, and didn't even place in 2008, she said. Now that she's won, she won't be able to compete again, but that doesn't bother her.

"I'm just glad that it's over," she said.

Gayleisha sings in the high school honor's chorus and in her church choir. She plans to audition for the next season of American Idol.

As a modest person, she said she doesn't hear the same greatness in her voice that others do.

"I see it as average," she said.

Grayson said every student did a great job, but that Gayleisha just "had the edge."

The youngest contestant in the show's history, first grader JyQuez Bettis, of Belvedere Elementary School, had the crowd rolling in laughter from the beginning of his performance.

As the tune came out of the speakers, JyQuez loudly stated, "that ain't my song."

Once things got corrected, JyQuez replaced lyrics to Lean On Me with his own. Replacing the words "call me if you need a friend" he put his hand up to his ear like it was a phone stating "just call me, just call me, anybody need a friend."

The piano performance of Allegro Furioso by Kate Funderburk, a sophomore at North Augusta High, also received positive feedback from the crowd.

"Whoa, how did she do that?" whispered a child in the audience.

It was a big night for Shelby Smith, a third grader at Mossy Creek Elementary School, who ended her ninth birthday as first runner-up in the elementary school division after singing Play My Music .

An art show also was held in conjunction with North Augusta Idol. Best in Show went to Kelly Cercy, a sophomore at North Augusta High.

Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.