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Singing sensation: Airman wins Dover AMC Icon, $500

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover AFB hosted a one-night Air Mobility Command Icon competition Aug. 13 at The Landings Club.

AMC Icon is an AMC - commander initiative based loosely around the "American Idol" TV show to showcase the vocal talents of AMC communities in a karaoke-style competition.

Eleven Team Dover members and spouses brought their vocal talents to the stage, but only one contestant advanced as the base's finalist to the AMC-level competition.

Airman 1st Class Naomi Nadeau, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, won the contest and a $500 cash prize. She sang Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," to win the competition.

"I never imagined doing this in the Air Force," said Airman Nadeau, 23, a California native who has been singing since she was 7. "This was an exciting experience and I had a lot of fun. I say if you're not having fun, then it's not worth doing."

Airman 1st Class Christiana Ramirez, 436th Security Forces Squadron and Florida native, won second place and a $200 cash prize. According to the Airman, she had never performed in front of an audience.

Tech. Sgt. Ronald Popio, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was the third place winner and won a$300 cash prize, said he also competed for fun. Sergeant Popio sang Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," reminiscing the day he got married.

"I wasn't expecting to win at all," he said. "It's been twenty years since the last time I've sung on stage."

The sergeant said he was too emotional to keep singing.

"I've always sung this for my wife in the living room," said Sergeant Popio. "But it was different on stage when I saw her sitting in the midst of the audience."

Contestants were judged on overall singing ability, technical excellence and showmanship to include vocal and tone quality, enunciation, personality, style and several other areas.

The judges included Krystal Richard, a professor at University of Delaware for choral music education, Curtis Powell, director of choral activities at Delaware State University and Dr. Don Blakey, director of DSU theatre and dance.

"There was outstanding talent here and the audience really enjoyed it as well," said Frank Russo, 436th Services Squadron Community Center director and project officer for the base's AMC Icon. "Airman Nadeau performed exceptionally well and is the finalist that will lead Dover to success."

The Headquarters AMC finals for AMC Icon will be held at Scott AFB, Ill., Oct. 23 for AMC active-duty and AMC affiliate unit Guard and Reserve finalists selected from all AMC bases. The winner at the command level will receive $1,000.