Orangeburg Prep junior wins 2008 Orangeburg Idol

Exhibiting a powerful voice and strong stage presence Eden Graves, a rising junior at Orangeburg Prep, won the second annual Orangeburg Idol competition Saturday evening before approximately 400 people at Stevenson Auditorium, beating out five other finalists for the honor.

In a surprise move by Orangeburg Idol organizers one of the two songs performed by Graves during the evening, artist Sarah McLachlan’s “In The Arms Of An Angel” was played at the end of the judging. Surrounded by the entire cast of 20 Idol contestants, Graves stepped to the microphone for the encore number to a standing ovation.

The five other finalists vying for the title were: Brandon Hicks, a member of the Claflin University Concert Choir; Matt Quay, a veteran Orangeburg Part Time Players performer; Hailey August, a rising sophomore at Winthrop University in Rock Hill; Daryl Cates, owner of Garden Gate Florist and president of OPTP, and Damond Howard, an assistant professor of art at Claflin.

Hicks also won the People’s Choice Award from WORG-FM 100.3, which was given based on online voting at the radio station’s web site.

Graves, who has previously won the South Carolina Farm Bureau Talent Show and recently sang for the Miss South Carolina Pageant said, “This is my life and it’s what I love to do. This whole week has been crazy but I loved doing it. I’m really looking forward to getting into the studio to record my demo.”

Among the prizes awarded to Graves was three hours of recording time provided by the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association, the main sponsor of the event.

DORA executive director Bernice Tribble said proceeds from Orangeburg Idol will be used toward providing downtown parking for such venues as Stevenson Auditorium.

Tribble added, “We don’t have any numbers just yet but I feel certain we’ll come close to the amount of money raised during last year’s inaugural event. It’s been a great event and a real community builder for us.”

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