<\/p>\n
A rising star, just 12 years old, won the hearts and ears of the audience and judges during a stellar solo performance at The Voice competition finals held at the Ute Mountain Casino.<\/p>\n
Jumping up and down with a heartwarming smile and a flushed look of disbelief, Shania Pribble, of Dove Creek, was awarded first place out of 11 finalists, earning a $500 cash prize, time in a recording studio, and an opening act for the Harvest Festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so happy and excited. It was so much fun,\u201d Pribble said moments after winning Wednesday night. \u201cThis is my second competition. I was in the Cortez American Idol, also.\u201d<\/p>\n
A crowd of family and friends swarmed around the young singer, who put on a confident performance beyond her years, singing a Shania Twain song, \u201cAny Man of Mine,\u201d and a unique folk classic, \u201cCups (When I\u2019m Gone).\u201d<\/p>\n
Brad Sitton took second place, impressing the crowd with a smooth rendition of Boston\u2019s \u201cIt\u2019s Been Such a Long Time,\u201d nailing a crowd-pleasing, wailing vibrato to finish the song.<\/p>\n
And Jill Carlson\u2019s booming and melodic voice took third place, belting out a bluesy Janis Joplin tune that was spot on.<\/p>\n
The family event was a fundraiser for the Pi\u00f1on Project\u2019s Family Resource Center.<\/p>\n
Executive Director Kelli Willis plans to organize the event again next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of talent, and I hear karaoke is pretty big around here. I have to especially give credit to the kids,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Voice is a good fundraiser because people are familiar with it and it is an easy idea to market. A special thanks to the Ute Mountain Casino for all their help and donations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Craig Crippen and his daughter, Caroline Crippen, made it to the finals. Craig did a low-key dance routine to his song.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife heard about it on the radio, and so we signed up,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was fun practicing a lot with the family, and in the car on the way to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daughter Caroline, 9, showed courage and talent during her performance of the song \u201cColors of the Wind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat stage presence,\u201d said judge Wanda Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou worked hard and it shows,\u201d said judge Ellis Miller.<\/p>\n
Caroline will be back, she said, and seemed satisfied to win a cooler with wheels given out as a door prize.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hoping for the $500, but it was still fun,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Contestants all sang a solo 3-minute piece to music, karaoke style. Four judges cut it to six, and then those contestants sang another song. The audience of about 60 voted for the winner.<\/p>\n
Camaraderie among contestants, entertaining performances and support for a good cause left everyone in good spirits after the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is all about helping families, single moms and dads, and children,\u201d Willis said. \u201cAll of you have made the Pi\u00f1on Project strong, so thank you for coming out tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jimmy McClain and emcee Dave Hart implored the audience to volunteer as mentors for the Pi\u00f1on Project clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need more male mentors, especially, to support families and kids,\u201d McClain said. \u201cI did it, and it changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
As adults wandered out to try their luck in the casino, Pribble\u2019s friends Bob and Terri Luna said they were not surprised at her success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have hunting parties and she gets up in front of 30 to 40 people singing her songs. She is not bashful and has raw talent,\u201d Bob said.<\/p>\n
The 11 finalists were Marinda Eubanks, James Salzbrenner, Halle Kline, Shania Pribble, Brad Sitton, Koral Jackson, Megan DeMars, Holly Janes, Jill Carlson, Michele Coyote, Craig Crippen and Caroline Crippen.<\/p>\n