Performers Anything but Idle in 'Atwater Idol' Competition

This year's "Atwater Idol" — a mix of performances varying from solo singers and acts to groups, from singing, violin playing, dancing, Tae Kwon Do moves and a puppet show comedy act.

Since it started seven years ago, the annual event has been enthusiastically embraced by the community, both in number of contestants and audience. 

"Atwater Idol" is an opportunity for any student of Atwater to thrill hundreds of parents and fans with a special talent on stage. This year, 44 students entertained about 270 people Friday night.

Walt Boyer, music director at Atwater Elementary, provided his expertise and helped produce the show. This year, Boyer did the show despite facing a dissertation defense the following morning.

There were countless talented individuals and each clearly had a ball, ranging in age from first through sixth grade.

"The majority of the contestants performed for the first time at Idol, with five returning performers," said Melissa Nelsen, a member of the committee that organized the show.

The deafening applause from the audience made the night thrilling for all. Yet only one could be named the winner. Or, maybe, for the first time this year, two.

The tied first-place winners are sixth-grader Emma Bane, who sang Lenka's "The Show" and played the ukulele, and third-grader Antonio Rodriguez, who interspersed juggling with popping and locking. Second place went to Brady Tutton, whose pitch-perfect singing of "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars was met with thunderous applause.

Competition was fierce, according to Nelsen, who reported having to tally the 270 ballots several times.

"One person voted for six people, so I couldn't really count that one," said Nelsen.

Download the movie