Eagle Idol selected by audience

By: Alexandra Podwalny

Posted: 2/16/07

Rebekah Keough, Houston senior, won the title of "Eagle Idol" last night after a final performance of "Wade in the Water" during the University Program Council's "Search for a Mean Green Superstar."
"God is good," said Keough after receiving the giant-sized check with her name on it for $1,000. "I've prayed a lot for this."
Keough also won the opportunity to perform at the council's annual Spring Fling.
First runner-up Whitney Matthews, Mesquite junior and a resident assistant at Kerr Hall, received $300. Cristen Teat, Gunter sophomore and returning contender, placed second runner-up and received $100.
The nine contestants blended their singing talent for the opening act of "Footloose," initiating the night of musical battling. Months of rehearsals and preparation boiled down to three hours for the audience to choose their favorite singer.
Friends and family came to support the contestants, but seating was limited in the packed Lyceum.
Council committee members searched for extra seats for attendees.
The event, emceed by SGA President Alan Ross, San Antonio senior, and Amber Jarassri, Garland freshman and council committee member, kicked off at 7 p.m. The council hosted auditions in November. From more than 45 students who tried out, only nine were chosen to showcase their talent and contend for the title.
"Some of the talent is good," said Ashley Davis, Dallas sophomore. "There should be more preliminary eliminations."
"Eagle Idol" replicated "American Idol" where three judges provided their insight after each performance. June Bug from K104, NT alumnus Toy Odunsi and Tom Sovik of the music faculty were judges for the evening but had no voting power.
More than 500 attendees turned out to cast their vote and influence the final outcome.
"I was actually really impressed with the quality of the performers," Sovik said. "I could see some of them doing this professionally."
During intermission, while the council tallied votes, winners of the door prize drawing received gifts including a Wik 3-piece candle set, movie tickets and gift certificates for Regis Hair Salon, Museum Earth and Pizza Hut.
The event received donations from local businesses and organizations from the advertisements purchased for the evening's program, said Meredith McCauley, Arlington sophomore and traditions coordinator for the council. Old Navy provided the attire for nine contestants, and stylists and makeup artists from JC Penney and Mary Kay donated their time to the contestants.
"It was really chaotic putting it together," said Alison Marwah, El Paso sophomore and marketing coordinator for the council. "But I feel like I'm friends with the contestants now. We were in constant communication."
Supporters could also partake in "Adopt an Eagle Idol" to contribute to the production. Attendees of the program received fan signs to hold in the audience to cheer on their favorite contestants.
Keough jokingly bribed the audience before the show began in a slide show prepared by NTTV.
"If I win, I'll give the money to the audience," Keough said, though in the end it was her talent that the audience recognized.