Brittany Thomas                       Jonmichael Garcia              Sierra Murphy
Photos by: Kimberly Hopkins
It was all about corn at this year's Murphy Maize Days fall festival...Corn spitting contest, scare crow contest as well as the event that excited me most...the Corn Idol karaoke competition! I could tell just how serious this corn theme was when I saw Aimee Neimer, the main organizer of the festival, weraring little corn shaped ear rings! Murphy's City Hall grounds looked amazing with the fall decorations set against the backdrop of the small lake.

I was glad to see that we had singers from surrounding cities around Murphy. Entries were from Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Sachse, Garland and of Course Murphy. There were four (4) age catagories in this event; 8 - 10 years, 11 - 13, 14 - 17 and 18 and over. 

Contestants sang, Brown Eyed Girl, Rolling on a River, Hey Jude and other favorites. One ofmy favorites was I want to be a Cow Boys Sweetheart sung by Brittany Thomas. Some of our Searching for a Star performers came out to sing and stole the show! I could never have been so proud; mostly because what happened proved that SFAS program helps our singers and gives then an edge; our singers did great winning in three categories and taking the top trophy over all!

THE RESULTS:
Searching for a Star had 4 performers entered in the competition; Sierra Murphy, Jonmichael Garcia, Brittany Thomas and D'Moreya Woods; I was proud of all of them...
8-10 year old winner - Sierra Murphy (Sachse)
11- 12 year old winner - Jonmichael Garcia (Sachse)
13 - 17 year old winner - Brittany Thomas (Garland)
18- older Brent Ulch - Murphy Fireman (Murphy)
Each of the above won 1st place in their age categories....The winner over all was SFAS Performer - Brittany Thomas! 

Special thanks to: Debbie Hunter, Amnee our office assistant and Rachel our volunteer for helping me at the karaoke table. Thanks also to thr Murphy Fire Department for technical support, Lori and Kelly Garcia who were excellent roadies! Thanks also to Cheryl Mabry the director of Music Together program who worked right along side me on Saturday promoting the programs at Ballard Street. 

Congratulations Jonmichael, Sierra and Brent!
Congratulations Brittany...Over all winner!