Kids tossed colored balls back and forth, a man grilled wienies on a barbecue and fun reigned at Les Gove Park on Friday evening as an estimated crowd of 450 gathered to hear some of Auburn’s finest voices compete for top honors in the Auburn On Stage! competition.
And when all the singing was done, Auburn native Dayla Walker, 31, won in the adult category for singers 16 and above, claiming the $500 prize. The other adult finalists were Bailey Goranson, 19, Lisa Hanson, 41, Chris Hentel, 35, Rachel LaBranche, 31, and Tom Pitts, 44. Runners-up LaBranche, the 2007 champion, and Hentel, each received a $50 prize.
Jade Swepston, 14, won the junior competition and the $100 prize. Runners-up were Travis Anderson, 14, Tyler Bunday, 13, and Cami Werden, 10.
Walker, a 1995 Auburn High School graduate, has been singing “since I could talk.” She won the then-Auburn Idol in 2005. Today this “stay-at-home” mom sings for fun, at weddings and yes, in the shower.
She sang Martina McBride’s “Anyway,” and Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to
Say You Love Me.” Walker said she first heard the Springfield song two weeks ago as she sat with her daughter, Haley, at a Federal Way restaurant.
“I just knew I had to sing that somewhere, so I went home and learned it,” Walker said.
Flush with victory Friday evening, Walker was formulating big plans for her prize money.
“I think I am going to go get my hair done, you know, color it? It’s a girl thing,” Walker laughed. “And I have a 3 1/2-year-old that I will probably buy something for. She sings just like her mama.”
Walker said she would love to do something more with her talent, but conceded that singing is a hard business to get into.
“I kind of just enjoy raising my daughter and have dreams for her because she sings, too. I enjoy doing things like this competition. When I won, my daughter gave me a big hug and said, ‘Mommie, I’m so proud.’ ”
Swepston, who will enter Auburn Riverside High School next fall as a freshman, wowed ’em with “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey.
“I did a school talent show when I was in the fifth grade and the mother of a friend of mine recommended that I try Tacoma Idol,” Swepston said. “I did that a couple years back, and I did Auburn last year because it was closer and easier to do. I was a finalist last year. I guess the third time is the charm.”
Sweptson already is a veteran at handling pre-show jitters.
“After a while the nerves start to go away. I just tell myself to be calm and it all comes out better,” Swepston said.
Sweptson said she had no idea how she would spend her $100, though knowing this girl it probably will be something connected with dogs. After all, she owns seven of them, all whippets, and competes in dog shows.
This multi-talented kid, the daughter of Aaron and Kerie Sweptson, also plays french horn, trumpet and piano.
“Mostly I love getting together with my family,” Swepston said.
Auditions were held at Auburn Avenue Theater on July 19-20 and attracted almost 50 entries.
Prize money is available compliments of the MultiCare-Auburn Clinic. This year’s judges were Brenda Goodson-Moore, a City of Auburn employee, Gail Spurrell of Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce and Miss Moses Lake, Marissa Spaid.
