Zach Wilson/The Falcon Freshman Natalie Bergstrom sings Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings,” competing in the 2008 Falcon Idol competition.

Though nearly 50 contestants entered, only one could be the winner. It was sophomore Karianne Gwinn who, after making it into the top 10 final contestants in SPU's "Falcon Idol" competition, took home the first-place prize last Friday night at the finale in Royal Brougham Pavilion in front of a crowd of about 300.

The prize was a plane ticket to the next audition for the hit Fox TV show "American Idol," upon which the SPU competition is based. Gwinn doesn't yet know where she's going, as Fox doesn't release the location of the American Idol auditions until August, but she said that she plans to have her parents there with her at her audition.

"I'm really happy," Gwinn said after posing for pictures with her friends and receiving many congratulations. "All I can do is laugh."

Gwinn won the audience over with her rendition of "I Desire" by Natalie Grant, a gospel song that she said she chose because of its mellow beginning and dramatic ending.

This was the third annual Falcon Idol competition. Just like its source, SPU's event featured a pool of contestants that was narrowed down to 10 finalists that competed in the finale.

After the performances, the audience voted on the 10 contestants using paper ballots that were handed out at the entrance.

Auditions were open to any interested SPU students. Between 40 and 50 people showed up to audition, senior Evin Shinn, one of the judges, said. From that group, 22 people were selected for callbacks.

The auditions were held every weekday for one week before the finale, with the performers auditioning before the judges, Shinn said.

The finale on Friday was hosted by Residence Life Coordinator J.J. Kissinger and senior Kelsey Lewellyn with the help of three judges: senior Brittani Bryant, Shinn, and Jaci Koreski, a music professor.

Before each performance, in order to get the audience acquainted with the contestants, a video clip was played showing the contestant singing and offering an explanation as to why he or she should be the next "Falcon Idol" as well as sharing memories of his or her first time singing.

At the end of the competition, the audience's votes were counted to decide the winner.

Freshman Bonnie Kirkwood turned 19 on the night of the finale, and the audience joined in to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Kirkwood sung a rendition of "Love Song" by Sarah Bareilles, which Shinn said greatly impressed him.

"I wouldn't be surprised if I saw you in the top 30," Shinn said after she finished, referring to the "American Idol" top 30.

After the competition, he said, "I was really rooting for Bonnie. I was shocked when she didn't win or even make it into the top three."

"The three things that I was looking for in the performers were stage presence, singing ability and star quality," he said.

Shinn founded "Falcon Idol" two years ago with senior and Associated Students of Seattle Pacific President Daniel Miller.

"This year had a good turnout," Shinn said after the event.

He also said that this would be his last year as a judge, but that he planned to come and watch next year's competition.

Second-place winner freshman Zach Foster played guitar and sang Dave Matthews Band's "Crash into Me."

Third-place winner freshman Natalie Bergstrom sang Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Other performances included freshman Christo Lute performing "To Where You Are" by Josh Groban, freshman DeHeavalyn Pullium performing "Killing Me Softly" by Lauryn Hill, freshman Kelsey Lockhart performing "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton, junior Jenna Wall performing "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, sophomore Jesslyn Rahm performing "No Place That Far" by Sara Evans, and freshman Stephen Rickard performing "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" by John Mayer.

Sophomore Kristopher Williams, who was in the audience, said, "I was really rooting for Zach's 'Crash into Me' by Dave Matthews. I'm glad he at least got into the top three."

Williams, who previously hosted an event similar to "Falcon Idol," said, "This was definitely better than the 'Snohomish Idol' event that I hosted in high school. These were some really good performances tonight."