flecting on her experience of auditioning for lerican Idol," junior Toni Edwards watches the two– ur premiere of the reality show's second season at arty in Pryor Hall. Edwards auditioned for the show a beginning step of fulfilling her dream to become rofessional singer after graduating from college. hough she did not make the cut, Edwards continued pursue her dream. (Photo by Melissa Wilson) Junior auditions for 'American Idol,' follows dreams When junior Toni Edwards lined up with four other contestants Nov . 6 to audition in front of the executive producers of "American Ido!," the reality television show where contes– tants sang with the hopes of earning a record contract, she had no idea what was in store for her. "I wasn't really nervous until I stepped up to sing," Edwards said. "I drew a blank on the words, but I could remember the tune so I started and the words just came out." Edwards dreamed of becoming a profes– sional singer since childhood. Her trek to the "American Idol" auditions began as an obses– sion for the popular television show and as a step towards accomplishing her dream. After completing the necessary paperwork from the "American Idol" Web site, Edwards realized she needed the perfect song. "I wanted to choose something recogniz– able but not typica!," Edwards said. With paperwork and song in hand, Edwards flew from Little Rock to Houston to get to the Austin audition the next morning. "We got there at 3 a.m. and waited 30 hours in line," Edwards said. Her patience paid off the next morning, when she received a wristband that guaran– teed Edwards at least one audition. After gain– ing a wristband and a little bit of confidence, Edwards and around 600 other hopefuls filled the ballroom of the DoubleTree hotel. Contestants were divided into groups of five before singing in front of a judge. "Our judge got up and sang 'Hero' by Mariah Carey and told us that if we couldn't sing that song better than him, to find a dif– ferent song," Edwards said. Fortunately, Edwards had chosen a differ– ent song and was fourth in line to sing her a capella rendition of "Reach" by Gloria Estefan. "After I finished the song, Ron [an execu– tive producer and the judge for her group] told me that he would love to hear me sing another song," Edwards said. "I hadn't pre– pared anytl:Ung, so I sang the best 'Happy Birthday' that I possibly could." When she finished her second selection, the judge told Edwards that it was the best version of "Happy Birthday" he had· ever heard. With a compliment like that, Edwards thought she had snagged one of the few spots to take her to the next round . But she was wrong. "We stood there in that line and waited for what seemed like hours while Ron deliber– ated over the groups' talents," Edwards said. "And then came the fateful words. 'I don't think I can take anyone on from this group .'" "That's when my heart sank," Edwards said. "I just thought that since I was the only one he had asked to sing again in my group that meant I was in." Edwards did not plan to let one setback prevent her from pursing h er dreams of a music career. She planned to enter another talent search, called, "Nashville Star." "I want to pursue my dream of music but I also have to be practical about school and finish while I am young," Edwards said . "This is my dream though and I hope I get to live it." -Jaime Fahs Julie Poindexter-Faulkton, S.D. Art Therapy. GATA. Diane Polzin-Searcy. Ark. Nursing. HSNA. Nursing Student Association. Omega Lambda Chi. Beth POWnell-Mechanicsburg, Pa. Dietetics. FCS. Dietetics. International Studies (HUF). Campaigns (Masschusetts). Zeta Rho. Allison Prestidge-Black Rock, Ark. Fashion and Interior Merchandising. Campaigns (Colorado, Washington). Divine Property. Jennifer Pruett-Kaufman, Texas. Dietetics. FCS. Dietetics. Nu Delta Chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, Inc. Circle K. Who's Who. Sara Rabon-Searcy, Ark. Print Journalism. Honors Association. International Studies (HUF). Dean's List. Barristers. Campaigns (Honduras). Claudia RamireZ-San Salvador, EI Salvador. Advertising. Bison Staff. Campaigns (EI Salvador, Guatemala). KHCA Staff. TV 16. Dactylology. Rolando RamOS-Panama City, Panama. Computer Science. Alpha Chi. American Studies. Intramurals. seniors 67 1111m .
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