Published: February 19, 2008 12:13 pm      

Locals say they’re proud of ‘Idol’ contestant

CAMDEN — Residents from this small town say they’re proud of “American Idol” contestant Amanda Overmyer.

The 23-year-old Overmyer is one of 24 finalists out of 100,000 hopefuls who auditioned all over the nation. She auditioned last August in Atlanta.

Locals remember Amanda as a talented child.

Mary Lou Rude, secretary at the elementary school Amanda attended, described her as “outward” and “open.”

“She was a very academically talented little girl,” Rude said. “She wasn’t withdrawn.”

John Atkinson led the school’s music program.

“I just remember Amanda had a good singing voice,” he said.

Atkinson said he wasn’t surprised when he learned of Amanda’s success on “American Idol.” Out of all of his students, he said, Amanda has been the most successful.

“It’s very exciting to have a former student do well in this type of competition,” he said.

Linda Landes, Amanda’s fifth-grade teacher and childhood neighbor, said the whole town was rooting for Amanda.

“I had to laugh the other night because she still has those freckles across her nose like she did when she was younger,” Landes said.

If Amanda wins, she said, the town will definitely have a celebration.

“We’d probably put a banner up,” she said. “It’ll be a big thing — a small town girl hitting the big time.”

Kathy Dunbar is a family friend and owner of Country Hair II in Delphi. She said the year has been magical for Amanda.

“Everything clicked like clockwork, and her talent is at its peak,” Dunbar said. “She is just bringing it.”

Dunbar said her family had been trying to get Amanda to audition for “American Idol” for awhile.

“For years we suggested, ‘You’d bring something new. You’d be terrific for American Idol,’” Dunbar said.

She thinks Amanda will do well in the competition.

“She has a very strong stand-out voice,” Dunbar said. “Her deep voice grabs you and brings you in.”

Amanda has a lot of determination, Dunbar said.

“If she sets her sights on something, she’ll do well in it,” she said.

Dunbar said she might go to Los Angeles to see Amanda perform in the competition.

She admits that watching American Idol has become a “neighborhood event.”

“Everyone’s calling everyone,” Dunbar laughed.

Dunbar said she couldn’t be more excited about Amanda’s success so far.

“We’re just really proud of her,” she said. “She’s living the dream right now.”

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com



Want to watch?

American Idol airs at 8 p.m. today and Wednesday on Fox.