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JBSA News
NEWS | May 10, 2012

Student earns Randolph Idol title

By Robert Goetz Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

The daughter of a retired Air Force technical sergeant emerged from a field of 21 contestants to become the fourth Randolph Idol last week.

Kara Caldwell, 22, a dental hygiene student at San Antonio College, received $1,000 for her first-place finish. Senior Airman Sherita Cummings of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, a 59th Maternal Child Care Squadron outpatient records technician, placed second and won $500, while Jeremy Egg, a civilian in the 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron resources office, finished third and earned $250.

Caldwell, who sings in the choir at Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church, said a Randolph civilian employee who goes to her church encouraged her to enter the 902nd Force Support Squadron competition. She said competing was difficult because of her shyness, but the experience helped her gain confidence.

"It was something I thought I could never do," she said, "but I gave it a shot and I'm glad I did. It's an awesome feeling of accomplishment."

Caldwell sang "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Summertime" in the finale, which featured six contestants. More than 200 fans attended the fifth and final show in the Parr Club ballroom.

Steve Knechtel, 902nd FSS community programs manager and Randolph Idol coordinator, said the fourth season "attracted a great mix of contestants."

"We had active duty and family members as well as Department of Defense civilians and retirees," he said. "While the cumulative attendance of 646 wasn't as high as last year's record level of 1,000, the excitement and degree of support for the contestants certainly wasn't lacking."

The contest began March 29 with audition night as 16 of the 21 registered contestants received a "golden ticket" to return in two weeks to showcase their singing talent on R&B/Motown Night, the first of three themed shows before the May 4 finale. Pop/Rock and Country were the other themes.

Over the course of the competition, judges and audience members cast votes to eliminate contestants each week.

A Randolph Idol tradition continued during the finale as previous Idol winners performed. The 2011 winner, Army Sgt. Tony Cooper, and the inaugural Randolph Idol, Bruna Silva, sang two songs to the delight of the audience.

This year's event also featured a performance by Katryna Marttala, one of the winners of the Randolph Youth Center's U Got Talent family and teen talent contest.

"Randolph Idol remains a popular community program," Knechtel said. "It's become more of a family event. The whole purpose is for people to have a good time."

He also said Randolph Idol has become an event for all of Joint Base San Antonio.

Terrye Heagerty, 902nd FSS director, said the level of talent and audience enthusiasm continues to impress her.

"The formula to become a Randolph Idol money winner remains the same - a great voice and stage presence to impress the judges and lots of friends to vote for you," she said. "I'm already looking forward to next year."