Thisyear'sCabriniIdolwinner is

Kendall Neil A&E editor kmn722@cabrini.edu

The stage was set as over 200 relatives, friends and supporters packer;!Jazzman's Cafe on Saturday, March 20 for the second annual "Cabrini Idol" sponsored by the Residence Hall Association (RHA). Seven of Cabrini's finest singers took to the microphone and gave their all during the three rounds of the show. Besides working to impress judges George Stroud, director of Residence Life, Carol Serotta, math professor, and Dr. Jolyon Girard, history professor, the contestants had to work for the affection of the audience who would be their final judge.

Sophomore Colleen Bowman, a member of RHA, was the host of the event while senior Shannon Carrol and Megan Mirzoeff, last year's "Cabrini Idol," announced the participants. Mirzoeff opened the show by singing "Black Velvet" and gave the audience the same star power that gave her the win last year, The first round kicked off with freshman Catherine Franklin, followed by sophomore Marisa Gallelli singing "Haunted." Mary Hazel belted out "I want you to want me" with enthusiasm and energy, while sophomore Pat Hill chose the more subdue "Miss You" by Incubus. Sophomore Joseph Matthews, nicknamed Reuben after Reuben Stutter from "American Idol," performed out of Hill with his rendition of "Let me touch you." Sophomore Kharisma Mcllwaine sang "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston, which Girard said was a "very difficult song to sing." Lastly, senior Meisha Forbes sang "Calling my name" to finish the first round of competition.

After two rounds of elimination, Matthews, Mcilwaine, and Forbes were left to perform for the audience. Matthews chose "Greatest Love of All" and reached those high notes that caused the crowd to leap to their feet. However, Girard had a different opinion on Matthew's high notes. "Why did you scream the song" Girard asked? Matthew's face quickly changed from pleased to confusion as he said, "I had to scream over your shirt," commenting on Girard's black shirt splattered with bright pinks and greens. The crowd responded with hoots and hollers to his quick wit.

Mcilwaine ended her performance performing Whitney Houston's "I have nothing" and Forbes concluded with "Eye is on the sparrow" accompanied by an unknown pianist. RHA passed out ballots to the audience instructing them to write down who they thought deserved to be 2004's "Cabrini Idol."

After about l 0 minutes of nailbiting tension, Forbes was announced this years "Idol."

RHA advisor and area coordinator Mike Quickel feels as though RHA has reached their goal of making "Cabrini Idol" an annual event and to take it to a whole new level,"The idea behind Cabrini Idol was actually presented to RHA last year based upon the national response to the popular television show 'American Idol.' Based on the hard work and creativity of a very involved group last year, we saw what a huge impact we could have on campus - our decision to uphold the mission of RHA really lent itself to hosting a repeat performance this year," Quickel said.

For now, Forbes will bask in her glory as Cabrini's newest "Idol." That is, until next year.