Three finalists to perform for Mountaineer Idol title

Patrick Garcia, Ellis Lambert and Chelsea Malone will compete at Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown Sunday at 3 p.m. in the finale of West Virginia University's Mountaineer Idol.

The competition started out with 16 contestants, and over the past few months, the number has been narrowed down to three.

The contestants will each sing three songs. One song will be from a previous round, one of the contestant's choice and one will be selected by the judges.

Malone said she decided to do Mountaineer Idol because she loves to sing and Mountaineer Idol has given her another opportunity to do so.

"I feel truly blessed to be one of the finalists and very lucky to have such amazing friends and family who've supported me along the way," she said.

"I'm preparing for Sunday's performance just by practicing as much as I can and trying not to stress myself out too much too far ahead of time."

Lambert said he was enjoying the attention he received from the contest.

"It feels amazing," Lambert said. "I've been recognized by total strangers, been able to re-live my high school performance days and be able to give it my all every single song."

Garcia said he was honored just to be a part of the competition.

"It feels amazing to be part of the final three," he said. "I couldn't believe that they called my name in the last round. I am really excited. I have been playing my guitar, practicing in the car and singing in the shower."

Amanda Hughart, last year's Mountaineer Idol, will be co-hosting alongside Matt Boczanowski, Student Government Association Governor and Mountaineer Week co-chairperson.

Guests will not only get a chance to hear some of WVU's best vocal talent, but they also get a chance to win a brand new iPhone 4.

For a chance to win, guests will have to check into the Metropolitan Theatre on Foursquare and stay for the entire show. A winner will be chosen at random from the list of those "checked in" to the Metropolitan Theater.

The winner of Mountaineer Idol will receive $1,000, the runner-up will receive $750 and the second runner-up will receive $250. The winner will also perform the National Anthem at the WVU men's basketball game against Akron on Nov. 28.

Mountaineer Idol is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Coni & Franc on High Street.

For more information, visit http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu.