Newcomers join Fargo Star finals field

By Heidi Shaffer

FARGO – Four newcomers to the Fargo Star competition have secured the final four spots.

Jenna Wawers, Addie Onchuck, Austin Soupir and Emily Black will all perform live March 23 at The Venue in Fargo in a competition for the title of Fargo Star.

This is the first year any of the final four have entered a video, and each says they’re looking forward to performing with Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome in front of a live band.

Wawers, an 18-year-old freshman at Concordia College, brought in more than 10,000 votes with her a rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” to secure one of the 10 spots.

Onchuck, who only got into singing last year after a torn ACL kept her from playing basketball, also joins the competition from Wahpeton, N.D., where she’s a high school senior.

The 18-year-old, who sang “Break Away” by Kelly Clarkson, says she’ll have her whole basketball team cheering her on.

Soupir, a 20-year-old vocal performance and business major at North Dakota State University, will be the only male competitor to grace the Fargo Star stage this year but says he’s up for the challenge.

“If I’m the only male there, I’ll do it for the fellas,” he says.

Black, another NDSU music major, who grew up in Williston, N.D., secured the final spot in the lineup with her original piece “What a Shame.”

The last round of voting ended Friday with almost 17,000 votes cast. With four rounds, the Fargo Star entries brought in a combined 50,000 votes.

The final four join Trina Michels, Taylor Hought, Stephanie Palanuk, Mehgan Ashmore, Shelby Heimbuch and Jill Borgerding.

But which will be the next Fargo Star? Come watch the show and vote for your favorite. General admission tickets will be $10 at the door.

Readers can reach Forum features editor Heidi Shaffer at (701) 241-5511