Parker Eshelman photo

From left center, Kewpie Idol contestants Molly Trull, Michael Akers and Michael Scott practice before auditioning yesterday at Hickman High School. The fourth annual talent competition is scheduled May 19 at the high school.

Andrew Lang, 18, had no problem impressing the judges as he auditioned yesterday to participate in an upcoming Hickman High School talent show.

But his real challenge comes next month, when he’ll try for a third time to become the next Kewpie Idol. Andrew, a senior, has had to settle for runner-up two years in a row. He’s hoping his rendition of "Fever," which includes backup performers on keyboard and bass guitar, will seal a better fate this year.

"Bands tend to win," he said. "So I got a band involved. I’m hoping the piano player and bass guitar will add to the performance."

Andrew will have to compete against nine other Idol wannabes in the competition, a spin-off of the popular television talent show "American Idol." The fourth annual Kewpie Idol is set for 7 p.m. May 19 and is open to the public for a $5 admission.

Attendees will get to watch and rank a variety of performances this year, from senior Mike Akers’ guitar-accompanied country tune to sophomore Mary Wu’s Chinese performance and senior Melissa Aslo’s energetic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode."

Thirteen students didn’t get past yesterday’s tryouts. That’s OK with Mary Porter, a sophomore who celebrated her 16th birthday at the audition.

Mary, who wants to do cartoon voice-overs as a career, used a rose as a mock microphone as she performed a song from the Disney movie "Anastasia." Although she wasn’t chosen for the final round, Mary said she thought she performed well. "I’m not trying to be conceited. I just believe in myself. And spending my birthday with my friends is good."

Jami Thornsberry, a social studies teacher who organizes the event, said Kewpie Idol is a fun way to get kids involved.

"This is an event that draws in a lot of students who otherwise would never participate in another thing during their entire high school career," she said.

That’s not the case for Andrew, who has been involved in school theater his entire career. But singing is his passion.

"I like to entertain the crowd," Andrew said after trying out. "It’s one of my strong points, to put on a good performance. Hopefully, the judges will see that."

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