Community Corner

Hatboro Idol Showcases Local Talent

The annual competition concluded Saturday.

When the Hatboro Summer Fun Festival rolls around each year, local songbirds can look forward to their chance to shine.

This Saturday in Hatboro concluded with the festival’s sixth annual Hatboro Idol competition, the last of three song-filled nights orchestrated by Hatboro’s take on Ryan Seacrest and a trio of colorful judges.  

Morgan White, 13, won this year’s title of Hatboro Idol after singing her final three rounds on Saturday. White triumphed over the 12 other original contestants, pitted against the three remaining contestants Saturday.

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Even after winning, White was still bubbling with enthusiasm about participating in her first singing competition. “I’m still really excited,” she said.

White, soon to be a ninth-grader at Hatboro-Horsham High School, learned about the competition after starting voice lessons a month ago. She hopes to sing in school productions soon.

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As Hatboro Idol she will receive $250 and the opportunity to ride in Hatboro’s holiday parade in November; the second-place winner Assanta Forgiona will receive $150 and Hannah Mumford, in third place, will receive $50. Ryan Lauer was the remaining contestant.

On the last night of the competition White sang Colbie Caillet’s “Bubbly” and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me,” finishing with Christina Perri’s acidly poetic “Jar of Hearts.”

“That was beautiful,” said judge and Hatboro Borough Councilwoman Nancy Guenst after White’s last song. “It was a little rough in the beginning but you just killed it in the end.”  

Guenst, along with judges Andrea Myers and Newton Gilchrist, tried to dole out firm but kind critiques, keeping in mind that the contestants were not industry professionals. “I’m pretty blunt,” said actor and vocalist Gilchrist. “In my career I’ve also taught a lot and I would coach kids like this.”

Emcee Blair Johnson is one of the festival organizers who helped to bring American Idol’s sparkle and shine to Hatboro Idol after its earlier, more humble inception. “I said ‘Let’s take it to the next level with three judges and a Ryan Seacrest person,’” he said.

Proceeds from the competition benefit Hatboro’s Enterprise Fire Company. Contestants paid a $5 entrance fee and this year the competition raised $65. 


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