The competition was close as the 10 finalists belted out their tunes at the conclusion of Howard County Library's fifth annual Teen Idol competition June 26.

However, Alyssa Shouse, 13, a rising eighth-grader at Elkridge Landing Middle School, won the judges over with her emotive rendition of Martina McBride's "A Broken Wing" and was declared the winner.

Before the winners were announced, Alyssa admitted she had been nervous at first but later relaxed and had fun during her turn to sing.

"I did my best," she said.

Alyssa won $200 and the chance to sing the national anthem at the June 27 Bowie Baysox game against the Altoona Curve.

Second and third runners-up, Katie Rasmussen, 15, and Marissa Zechinato, 12, received $100 and $75, respectively.

The contest is "a nice opportunity for (contestants) to show off," Katie George, teen programs coordinator for the county's libraries, said.

George said it's also an opportunity to showcase the arts rather than other popular kids' activities such as sports.

Tryouts for young people 11 to 17 were held June 24 and 25 at the Miller Branch Library. About 25 people auditioned each day, with five winners chosen at the conclusion of each tryout session.

The master of ceremonies for the final round of the competition June 26 was Jojo Girard from Baltimore's Mix 106.5 FM's morning show. Judges included Fox 45's Amy Fadool, The Squaaks' band member Justin Custer and library employee Carmen Albuerne.

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