Alyssa Shouse Won Teen Idol Competition

By Susan Lavin
Posted: July 30, 2008

Mix 106.5 disc jockey JoJo Girard, background, stands with Howard County Library Teen Idol finalists Alyssa Shouse, Katie Rasmussen and Marissa Zechinato, from left. Alyssa won the event while Katie was first runner-up and Marissa won second runner-up. (Photo by Fritzi Newton).

Alyssa Shouse is making headway toward that “American Idol” stage, by winning the title of Howard County Library Teen Idol. The competition was held at the Baneker Room, in Ellicott City, earlier this summer. Shouse, an eighth-grader at Elkridge Landing Middle School, performed “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride.

Hooray also to Katie Rasmussen, who is a home school student in the area, and was named first runner-up and received $100 for her performance of “Be By My Side,” from “Godspell.” Second runner-up was Marissa Zechinato, a Mayfield Woods Middle School student, who received $75. Way to go, Marissa!

The competition has grown in popularity each year. This year’s competition featured about 50 middle and high school students who auditioned at the Miller Branch Library in late June.

After two nights of auditions, 10 students were selected as finalists, where they faced judges Amy Fadool, of Fox’s WBFF-TV, channel 45; Carmen Albuerne, Howard County Library teen time specialist; and Justin Custer, of Squaaks. JoJo Girard of Mix 106.5 returned as celebrity emcee, according to a press release.

Howard County Library Teen Idol competition is a component of the A+ Partners in Education initiative. Each year it has expanded to include more participants. Being involved in Teen Idol enables students develop musical talents, build self-confidence and self-esteem, and learn communication and performance skills.

For more details about Howard County Library, go to www.hclibrary.org

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