MEADE, WADDLE WIN BETSY LAYNE

Alex Meade, left, was crowned winner of the Betsy Layne High School Big Sandy Idol competition on Friday, August 28. Destiny Waddle was runner-up. Both will advance to the 10th annual Big Sandy Idol regional competition at the Mountain Arts Center.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) held its Big Sandy Idol Competition at Betsy Layne on Friday, August 28. Big Sandy Idol is sponsored by Gearheart Communications.

Eight students participated for coveted spots for the annual Big Sandy Idol Regional Competition, which will be held in March at the Mountain Arts Center. Alex Meade was crowned the winner, and Destiny Waddle finished as runner-up. Both will advance to the 10th annual Regional Competition and have a chance to earn a spot on the Big Sandy Singers, an album recording and other prizes.

The talent was unbelievable, said Clayton Case, director of Fine Arts at BSCTC. It seems like each year the talent increases throughout our region.

Students at Betsy Layne were also treated to a concert by the Big Sandy Singers and Band, an elite group of vocalists and musicians comprised of BSCTC students.

Big Sandy Idol is celebrating its tenth season. More than 1,200 students have participated in the program over the past nine years. The Big Sandy Idol competition and Big Sandy Singers programs have awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships.

For more information about Big Sandy Idol or the Big Sandy Singers and Band, contact Clayton Case at (606) 886-7388 or email ccase0005@kctcs.edu or Candace Kelly at (606) 886-7384 or email fkelly0004@kctcs.edu.