7 winners named at HIT Idol

IRONWOOD - Seven winners were named at the fourth annual HIT Idol competition at the Historic Ironwood Theatre Saturday night.

With more than 700 people in the audience, 49 youth and young adults from Gogebic Ontonagon, Iron and Vilas counties competed Friday for the chance to open Saturday night's show featuring American Idol season 10 finalist Naima Adedapo, of Milwaukee.

Competitors were featured in three categories - youth in grades five through eight, high school in grades nine through 12 and young adult, ages 18-29.

Normally, two winners are chosen from each category, but because of "tough" competition, three winners were selected from the youth and high school categories. One winner was selected in the adult competition.

Youth winners included Elise Besonen, a sixth grade student at Ewen-Trout Creek School, for her performance of "Grenade" by Delilah; Eddie Carrothers, a seventh grade student at E-TC, for his performance of "I'm Yours," by Jason Mraz and Enola Miskovich, a fifth grade student from Wakefield-Marenisco, for her performance of "Let it Go," by Idina Menzel.

High school winners included Ironwood senior Kate Averitt for her performance of "Hurt" by Christina Aguilera, Ironwood sophomore Vanessa Nasi for her performance of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen and Hurley senior Dakota Rice, for his performance of "Why Don't You Do Right," by Joseph "Kansas Joe" McCoy.

The sole winner in the adult category was 18-year-old Vivian Gammill, of Ironwood, for her performance of "Crazy" by Patsy Cline.

After the show, Gammill said the experience of HIT Idol was "way better than she ever expected it to be."

"The musical directors and tech people were great - and for the person who wants to perform professionally, or even take a brave step and empower yourself, HIT Idol is for you," she said.

After the winners were announced on Saturday, Adedapo surprised the winners by inviting the group to open for her in Milwaukee in the new year.

As for the show, HIT Idol producers Annette Burchell and Janie Williams were thankful for the 49 performers.

"Each and every performer was equally wonderful and critical to the amazing success of Friday's show," they said in a press release. "We are blessed and honored to have worked with such talented, energetic and amazing young people."

As for Bruce Greenhill, managing director of the theater, the credit for the success of the show "rests entirely in the hands of two groups of people - these remarkable young performers and their family and friends who support them."

For more information, call the Historic Ironwood Theatre at 906-932-0618.