Seven Adult Division participants also shared the spotlight. Kara DeLafosse did a rendition of Carrie Underwood’s I Told You So. Kasandra and Suzanne Koziolek performed a duet of I Wont Let Go. Cindi Christensen sang Take My Breath Away; John Darcy, Mountain Music; Denise Schulenburg, Here for the Party; Laura Manthey, Settlin’ and Cindy Coy, Blue.
“I think everybody likes to see what talent we have in New Richland,” Schlaak said. “It’s kind of funny what you don’t know until it comes out in Idol. There are people you never thought could sing.”
Junior division winner, Lillie Nielsen, didn’t need any coaxing to take ahold of the microphone. Nielsen has been “on stage” since she was 2 years old.
“I was a little bit nervous,” Nielsen said. “But when everybody’s eyes are on me, it feels good.”
This sixth-grader definitely had no qualms about the competition. She was as calm as a cucumber.
“Winning didn’t matter,” Nielsen said. “I did practice 10 or more times a day though.” She added, “I’m very happy, but I also want to congratulate the other finalists, James Spence and Jennifer McKay. They all did a good job.”
John Darcy, Adult Division winner, wasn’t all that nervous either. Darcy has sung in front of crowds quite often.
“It feels great to win,” Darcy said. “It is always about having fun. But, of course winning adds to that fun.”
Music has always been a general interest of his. And it shows. All year round, you’ll find him hitting up the karaoke machines to warm up those vocal chords.
“I have been singing karaoke for 15-plus years,” Darcy said. “I just love to sing.”
Also very composed on stage was Adult Division finalist, Kara DeLafosse. Amazingly enough, DeLafosse didn’t know she was singing until the night before.
“I kind of got roped into it,” DeLafosse said. “One of my friends asked and I said yes. I had done these songs in karaoke before though.”
Song selection came easy for her. She loves Carrie Underwood’s vocal range.
“Singing is my passion,” DeLafosse said. “I’ve sang for competitions in Ohio, Teens for Christ and church. Friday night was just about having fun.”
The second adult finalist, Cindy Coy, also has a strong gravitation towards country music. The stage isn’t a stranger for Coy either.
“I’ve been to Nashville twice, but at the time, I decided my kids came first,” Coy said. “They were more important. Now, I’m raising my grandchildren, so I’m still raising children.”
She grew up on Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. So, a lot of the new country, she’s not so hot on.
“Patsy is one of the originators of women in country and one of the best,” Coy said. “When I’m up there, I just lose myself in me. Country music just has a lot of message. It has lots of love and message.”
With 2011 New Richland Idol come and gone, Schlaak would like to thank all those involved, and encourages many to sign up for next year’s competition.
