Jessica Aull, a student at Dutch Fork High School, was named the 2009 RCPL Teen Idol on Thursday, October 22 at the Richland County Public Library in downtown Columbia. Aull was one of 19 finalists selected after three rounds of auditions to compete for a variety of prizes including recording time at Strawberry Skys studio and the chance to sing at a variety of community events.

First runner up was Valerie Isaac, a student at W.J. Keenan High School who received an iPod shuffle and a gift certificate to iTunes, and the second runner up was Demetria Bannister, a student at A.C. Flora High School who took home a $30 Best Buy gift card. 

Contestants were judged on vocal quality, song selection, projection and stage presence by three local celebrity judges—Otis Taylor, music writer for The State; Scooter O’Cain, division manager and co-owner of Geiger Carolinas and member of the local band Random Reality; Tyler Ryan, host of Tyler and Ken Program, heard every morning on WXRY, 99.3 FM; and preliminary judges Will Stuart, local musician, and Dr. Linda Kershaw, coordinator of music at Benedict College.

Other contestants were Mariel Cuddihee, J.L. Mann High School, Greenville S.C.; Danica Daniels, Hammond School; Will Daniels, Midlands Technical College; Felicia Denny, Eau Claire High School; April Epting, Chapin Middle School; Jessie Di-Clay Fulwood, W.J. Keenan High School; English Grant, A.C. Flora High School; Arielle N. Martin, Kelly Mill Middle School; Ayana N. Martin, Ridgeview High School; Courtney J. Munroe, Blythewood High School ; Skye Roberts, Dent Middle School; Zoe Santiago, Connections Academy; Erica Scriven, Southeast Middle School; Rachael Spilka, Dutch Fork High School; Shilah Thompson, White Knoll High School; and DeSean Wright, Dutch Fork High School

Over the past four years, more than 100 teens have competed for the title of RCPL Teen Idol. This year’s event was made possible through the generous support of sponsor Geiger O’Cain Advertising.

For more information on RCPL programs and services for teens and all ages, visit www.myRCPL.com.

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The mission of the Richland County Public Library is to provide experiences that Inspire, Inform and Entertain.