Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
RETURNING — Brandon Clark is heading back to the regional finale for the second straight year.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The stage of the Houlton Community Arts Center was transformed Sunday afternoon into a singer’s dream as the United Way of Aroostook hosted the ninth annual “Northern Star” singing competition.
Open to singers age 12 and up, Houlton’s regional event featured a wide array of talent. For many of the performers, appearing on the stage was nothing new as they have been there several times before, either from past competitions or high school plays.
The three local judges for the Houlton competition were Nancy Ketch, Tammy Goetsch and Annie Charles. Charles was the 2007 overall winner of the singing competition and was selected as the audience’s choice to serve as a judge at the regional finale.
Earning the right to advance to the regional finale, to be held Sunday, March 17 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m., were Brandon Clark, Keegan Fitzpatrick, Amira Abouleish and Haven Rhoda.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SONGSTRESS — Amira Abouleish delivers a soulful performance.
In the group performance, there was only one act, a trio featuring Fitzpatrick with Stevie Shaeffer and Jackie Condon.
Typically, only three solo acts and one group earn the coveted “golden tickets” to advance to the regional competition. But this year, a fourth solo artist was chosen from the Houlton event after Abouleish first told judges she would not be able to attend the regional finale due to a scheduling conflict.
Judges then quickly went to the fourth person on their list, Rhoda, and invited her to the regional finale.
The next day, after consulting with her parents, Abouleish contacted United Way organizers to say she would be able to attend the competition after all.
“We decided the only fair thing to do was to invite all four singers to the finale,” said co-host Claudia Stevens, who serves as the executive director for the United Way of Aroostook.
“For nine years, we have been getting the top talent from throughout Aroostook County together in each of their respective regions and then for the finale, which we promise will be spectacular,” said co-host Jason Parent.
For Clark, it was the second straight year that the Houlton resident punched his ticket to the regional competition. Clark, a 2012 graduate of Houlton High School, gave a spot-on performance of Michael Buble’s song “Feeling Good,” which drew rave reviews from all three judges.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SOLO — Haven Rhoda performs Sunday afternoon on the stage of the Houlton Community Arts Center. Her performance earned her a spot in the regional finale March 17 in Caribou.
“You sang the heck out of that song,” said Charles.
Fitzpatrick, 16, who also performed in the duo/group category, also sang a Buble tune. His verson of “Cry Me A River,” showed a wide vocal range as he hit both high and low notes with professionalism.
Abouleish, a 15-year-old student gave a stunning performance of the song “Shelter,” by Birdie.
“You sound and look the part,” commented Goetsch.
Rhoda, another 15-year-old, performed the tune “When I Look at You,” by Miley Cyrus. The judges complimented Rhoda for her sound choice and attire for the evening.
“That sounded just great,” commented Ketch.
Also singing in the competition were:
• Helene Thompson of Patten, who sang, “Hold Me,” by Jamie Grace.
• Eldon Bennett of Houlton, who performed “Old Man River.”
• Windy Scott of Houlton, who sang “Anyway,” by Martina McBride.
• Marc Fuller of Houlton, who performed “One Tin Soldier,” accompanied by Dale Holden on keyboard.
• Johnny Kirkland of Woodstock, New Brunswick, who performed an original tune “The Auctioneer.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
TUNEMAN — Keegan Fitzpatrick sings during Sunday’s Northern Star competition.
• Tad Hamel of Stacyville, who sang “The Dance,” by Garth Brooks.
• Grace Desrosiers of Houlton, who performed “Safe and Sound,” by Taylor Swift. Desrosiers, 12, was the youngest singer in the competition.
From Saturday’s Central Aroostook show in Presque Isle, the soloists advancing to the finale were Megan Ouellette, Heather Rose and Allyson Plummer. In the group performance, there was only one act, a duo featuring Dan Rooney and Josh Doughty.
From the Fort Kent performance Friday, the finalists were Emily Marin, Krystal Turton and Cory Stanley, while the lone group to perform was Alex and Anabelle Lemieux.
All proceeds from funds raised at the door go directly to the United Way of Aroostook’s annual campaign. Since the United Way of Aroostook launched the original “Aroostook Idol” fundraiser, it has drawn more than 180 competitors to the stage. It also has raised about $200,000 to benefit agencies funded by the United Way in Aroostook County.
For more information on the “Northern Star” competition, contact the United Way of Aroostook at 207-764-5197.
