Staff Writer
The county has a new idol and the United Way of Aroostook reached it financial goals Sunday with the finale of the Aroostook Idol in Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
The new Aroostook Idol, Erin Buck of Caribou was selected from a field of nine contestants during the finale on Sunday. Congratulating the 16-year-old is show host Jason Parent. In back are the other contestants, from left, Robert Gossiaux, Robert Helstrom, Aubrie Daigle, Renae Russell, Katie Dumond, Caleb Richardson, Dawson Graham and Shelby Deschaine.
Nearly 800 audience members at the Caribou Performing Arts Center selected Erin Buck, 16, of Caribou during the UWA’s major fund-raising event.
As a result, the United Way raised $31,000 from the four rounds of competition and exceeded its annual goal of $475,000, according to organizers. It was the organization’s fourth annual competition and has become its major avenue to raising money.
Buck beat out eight other singing contestants from throughout the county, selected through regional contests held earlier in Houlton, Presque Isle and Fort Kent. Her initial selection was “I Know Where I’ve Been,” from the Broadway play “Hairspray.” When selected Sunday afternoon as one of the top three to go to a second round of performing, she sang “Broken Wing,” by Martina McBride.
It was the second time the 16-year-old entered the contest.
“The crowd was great,” the Caribou High School sophomore said. “I had a really fun time performing,” Buck said on Monday. “I’m glad I have the chance to represent the United Way, which is an amazing organization that does a lot.”
In addition to being an ambassador for the UWA, the winner also received a cash and prize package donated by county businesses and organizations.
The three-hour finale, based on the popular television show “American Idol,” included performances from each of the nine finalists and three additional acts from the top three contestants. The audience made the top three and final selections by marking paper ballots.
Hosts for the evening were Sandi Bouchard and Jason Parent. Sitting as judges, which included offering “constructive criticism” to each singer, were Sherrill Campbell, Brian Mosher and Colleen Duplissie.
Starting the afternoon was Dawson Graham of Weston, who dedicated his performance to his father and a cancer survivor who were both in the audience. The 22-year-old performed “The Change,” by Garth Brooks.
Shelby Deschaine, 15, of Fort Kent, sang “I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston. Following her was Renae Russell, 15, of Island Falls, who performed “Don’t Know Why” by Nora Jones.
Combining humor and music was Robert Gossiaux of Limestone. Sporting a tie draped around his neck, Gossiaux performed “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw. At the end, the 24-year-old threw the tie into the audience.
Aubrie Daigle, 21, of St. Agatha presented “No One,” by Alicia Keyes. She incorporated some audience clapping into her performance, which earned her some favorable comments from the judges.
Katie Dumond of Van Buren wowed the audience with “Me and Bobby McGee,” by Janice Joplin, earning her a place among the top three finalists. The judges cited the 22-year-old’s stage presence and enthusiasm during her performance.
The man who “sang to every woman in the room,” according to one judge, was Robert Helstrom, 56, of Washburn. Singing “At This Moment” by Billy Vera, Helstrom produced the “first goose bumps,” according to Judge Sherrill Campbell. Helstrom also became one of the top three.
Rounding out the competition was Caleb Richardson, 17, of Houlton who performed the only contemporary Christian song during the competition. He sang “This Is How It Feels to be Free,” by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
During the next round, Dumond performed “Something to Talk About,” by Bonnie Raitt, while Helstrom sang “Since I Fell for You,” by Buddy Johnson.
Also providing electrifying and spiritually charged performances was the 2007 Idol, Annie Charles of Limestone, who sang two contemporary Christian songs. Later in the program, Charles joined with Renee Cavagnaro, who won the title in 2005, and the nine contestants in a moving performance of “Count on Me.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Robert Helstrom of Washburn “sang to every woman in the room,” according to one judge during the Aroostook Idol finale in Caribou on Sunday. Helstrom was one of the top three selected during the afternoon competition.
Aroostook Republican photos/Debra Walsh
Other contestants at the Aroostook Idol finale on Sunday were Robert Gossiaux of Limestone, left, Dawson Graham of Weston, top and Caleb Richardson of Houlton.
The three were among nine contestants who vied for the title at the Caribou Performaing Arts Center in Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Judges for the Aroostook Idol finale on Sunday were from left, Sherrill Campbell, Brian Mosher and Colleen Duplissie.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
The 2007 Idol, Annie Charles, right, sings her part in a show number on Sunday with Renee Cavagnaro, the 2005 winner, at the Aroostook Idol finale on Sunday. Also participating in the number were the 2008 contestants in the background.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Erin Buck belts out her winning rendition of “Broken Wing,” by Martina McBride. For becoming the 2008 Aroostook Idol, the CHS sophomore won prize package of about $1,000, according to contest sponsors.
