The hallways were buzzing as the 40 contenders for the Marcus Idol made their way into the band hallway, on Wednesday Sept. 7.  Amateur photographers stood by taking headshots of the students as they prepared for the competition.   The choir fundraiser drew in crowds of not only choir students, but swimmers, soccer players and theater students. 

Amanda Egan tentatively hands William Dove her iPod, holding the one song she has spent hours rehearsing in front of her family. 

“It’s my senior year and I wanted to try to do it,” Egan said.  She was one of the first to walk into the stark white room. An all-state choir student, Egan said she came to give it her best shot.  After four years of being in choir, this is her first year to audition.

 In the center of the room sat one black plastic table with the two choir instructors seated at the far end.  There is a pause as she adjusts her polished outfit and seconds later, Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones comes over the speakers.  She pulls the small black microphone to her lips and begins to sing.  

With two students in front of him, senior Josh Wright clenches his CD as he travels inches closer to the thick black door, humming the melody of Michael Buble’s Cry Me A River. It has been running through his head for days.  While waiting to be called, he chats with his friends about their apprehensions and consoles those around him more anxious than he is.  “I actually am a little nervous,” he admits.  “I want to make first place this year.”  Josh thinks back on the two previous years he has auditioned and made it to the finals, where he came in second or third place.  But this time he feels will be the year he finally wins.

Senior Carlen Day, wearing a floral top and letting her loose wavy brown hair fall over her shoulders, makes her way to the line.  Regina Specktor has been filling her ears the past few days as she practiced for these three most nerve racking minutes of the school year.  After seven years in choir, she is hopes this will be her chance to show what she is made of.

“I feel like God has given me a gift that I have yet to fully use,” Day said. “I want to finally use my talent.”  She eyes the students who have gone before her as they exit the choir room.  She gulps, swallowing down her uneasiness and takes a step forward.   

All three seniors are on a mission to make it to the top and to leave their mark on the school after graduation.  Though only a third of them will make the competition, all have high hopes of blowing the judges away.

“I feel pretty confident. I feel happy,” Wright said when he finished his audition and raced out the once intimidating doors.  Other competitors are just glad the auditions are over.

“I did my best.  Whatever happens, happens,” Egan said as she maneuvered her way out of the crowd of people, all vying for the same space in the competition.

Marcus Idol competition will take place on Thursday Sept 22 at 7:00p.m. in the auditorium.