FRACKVILLE - Unlike previous years, the three finalists for the fourth annual Schuylkill County Junior Idol competition didn't have to wait another day before a winner was announced.
After one last night of competition Tuesday at the Schuylkill Mall, Reiley Lonergan, 13, of Minersville, was announced as this year's Junior Idol winner following her final performance.
"It was great," Lonergan said shortly after being declared the winner. "I really enjoy singing and I like making people happy. I think I make people happy with my singing. Now I will have more opportunities to make people happy with my singing."
After she was announced as the winner of the competition, she ended this year's event with a performance of "Over the Rainbow" by Katherine McPhee.
"I just always really loved the song, especially the version by Katherine McPhee," Lonergan said.
The other two finalists Tuesday night were Gabriella Frey, 14, of Coaldale, and Emily Barrett, 11, of Tuscarora.
For the final night of the competition, the three contestants performed a song of their choice, a song to match the theme of "Diva's Night," and a song from a list chosen by the judges.
Lonergan performed "Beautiful" by Christina Aguliera, "Do You Know/Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross, and "Maybe" from "Annie."
"It was a blast," Lonergan said. "It was really fun meeting a lot of new people and making a lot of new friends."
Lonergan was a finalist in last year's competition.
Opening Tuesday's show was last year's Junior Idol winner Bryel Frasch, 13, of Ashland, with two performances.
"I've had tons of opportunities since winning the event last year," Frasch said. "It doesn't just stop at the fair. It has just been a great time."
Following a brief intermission, last year's Schuylkill County Senior Idol winner Shaina Graff gave two performances of her own.
"I've been here every week and I just have to say that all the contestants did a wonderful job," Graff said.
Judges were Mark Waidall, Susan Smallwood and Angie Jordan. This year's contest was sponsored by the Frackville Rotary, Schuylkill Mall Theatres, Schuylkill County Fair, Verizon Wireless and Pepsi.
During intermission, the winners of two audience drawings for a flat-screen TV and a three-day getaway to Split Rock Lodge in the Poconos courtesy of Radio T-102.
For more information about the Schuylkill County Junior Idol competition or the Schuylkill Mall, visit www.shopschuylkillmall.com.
The Schuylkill Senior Idol competition is set to begin in the summer.
Registrations are being accepted by Diakon Living & Learning After 50, a program of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries.
Auditions for the event will be 6:30 p.m. March 13 in the Sovereign Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St., Pottsville. Finals will begin at 4 p.m. March 25 at the same place.
For rules and registration information, contact Susan Long, Diakon Living & Learning After 50 program manager, at 570-624-3018 or, toll-free, at 1-800-621-6325 or by email at longs@diakon.org.