Cumberland Idol Eliminations

On Feb. 1, 2011, Cumberland Idol started the elimination process of its fourth season of the competition. Idol is a campus activity that occurs every spring semester and is the campus' version of American Idol. Students participate against their peers and compete for a chance to win cash prizes. Contestants were paired with a partner at random, and asked to perform a duet in front of their audience in the Gatliff Chapel.

The organization behind the show is the campus activity board, (CAB) at the University of the Cumberlands. This group of students helps prepare the contest, and work each night to organize the contestants.

When asking a fellow CAB member what was different about this year, Chelsea Hill responded, “This year the first, second and third place winners all get a cash prize. I believe this is a positive change because it gives people more incentive to participate as well as rewarding those with the most votes instead of having a second place winner walk away with the same prize as the first person voted off.”

Also, the CAB members are hosting a canned food drive. “We are tying a canned food drive with idol. Every canned-good one brings in, their name will be entered in a drawing to win an xbox360. This is a great way to bring new fans in and help out a good cause," said Hill.

Everyone involved in the process is doing all that they can to help do positive things for the campus and community, as well as provide entertainment. Senior Grant Doepel is the producer of the show and his efforts have been phenominal according to the other CAB members.

This is the last year that Doepel will be directing “Idol” as he will graduate and leave this spring. When asking Doepel if he would miss it he replied, "It has been a great experience and I will definitely miss being a part of something so fun." 

According to other CAB members, Grant has done an excellent job developing a show that is so close to the real American Idol. It has given the student body a chance to reveal their talent.

“It is Grant’s last year, and we are sad to see him go. He is the brain behind the operation and such a talented person. He’s going out with a bang,” says Hill.

Senior, Grant Doepel

There is no doubt that Cumberland Idol is a huge hit on campus and the crowd has shown their dedication in the two short nights of eliminations. The next night of performances will be on February 15 in the Gatliff Chapel at 8 p.m.