Courtesy photo. From left: Judges Missy Kelly, Tim Baylie and Pat Northey pose with Volusia Idol winner Alexis Orellana of Deltona.
DEBARY -- Eight-year-old Alexis Orellana brought down the house with her singing performance as the inaugural "Volusia Idol" winner.
The stables at DeBary Hall Historic Site took on the look of a Hollywood sound stage Aug. 8 as Volusia County’s summer recreation program presented its first “Volusia Idol” competition.
Alexis won first prize with her a cappella rendition of “Once Upon a December.”
“Her powerful voice and beautiful range were just inspiring,” said Nancy Maddox, event emcee and Volusia County’s cultural and recreation manager. “Her confidence and stage presence were amazing for someone so young. I expect we will hear from this young lady again.”
Other top finishers were Nicole DePascale, second place; Hannah Boudreau, third place; Se’sha Lashley, fourth place; Madelyn Reaster, fifth place; Emily Sanders and Marissa Shank, sixth place; and Nolan Blais, seventh place.
Twenty-nine children, ages 6 - 12, competed for the top prize of a Nintendo Wii gaming console and the title of “Volusia Idol.”
The 26 girls and three boys competing in the final had won local karaoke contests earlier this summer at the county’s 21 summer recreation sites. A variety of musical acts, including several duets and trios, featured hits by such popular entertainers as Mylie Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Michael Jackson.
“I was extremely impressed with the level of talent of these outstanding young people,” said Volusia County Council member Pat Northey, one of four judges. “It was really difficult to score them when they all put so much heart into their performances. We may have awarded prizes only to the top seven acts, but to me they were all winners.”
Other judges were Missy Kelly, wife of County Council Member Andy Kelly; and Tim Baylie, director of Volusia County’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Division.
Recreation staff members Donna Donohue and Gail Dietz opened the program with a lively performance of ABBA’s “Mama Mia” before a crowd of more than 100.
Prizes were supplied through donations from local businesses.