Afternoon for 'Idol s' at the Children's Museum

There was dancing, violin music, singing and legions of adoring fans.

In fact, the only thing missing from the Museum Idol competition at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada on Saturday afternoon was Simon.

The competition was put on by Wild Horse Children's Theater and the museum.

The talent competition featured children in three age ranges competing for the highest score from the three-judge panel consisting of Robin Kato, Marshall Brodeur and Abby Gardner.

Kato is an elementary school and dance teacher, Brodeur is a musician and vocal coach, and Gardner is a drama coach who recently completed her student teaching.

For friends Jordan Van Worth, 10, and Mckenzie St. Cyr, 8, "Idol" meant that they would compete against each other in the same age category.

But, said the pair, winning wasn't the primary objective.

"We work really hard to be better, to get really good at our dances," Jordan said.

The friends used the competition for some live practice in preparation for the Cinderella Scholarship pageant, taking place in June.

"I've been working on my dance for two years, and I just want to get better and better at it," said Mckenzie.

Jordan chose "Egypt" for her musical accompaniment, while Mckenzie went with "Great Balls of Fire."

While the girls hoped their dancing talent would garner them a first-place trophy, 6-year-old Amanda Kristanti, of Reno, was banking on her talent with the violin.

"I play because it's fun to play," she said.

The judges agreed, awarding her first place in the age 5-7 category.

The judges gave the 8-10 category honors to Mckenzie; Jordan finished second.

Yet the stiffest competition was in the age 11-13 category, with several competitors up for first place.

It came down to Karenza Strode, who danced to "Skin" by Rascal Flatts; Whitney Giron, who sang and danced to "I Can't Do it Alone" from the movie "Chicago"; and Laura Mohlenkamp, who sang "Only Hope" by Mandy Moore.

In the end, Laura's vocals won out.

"I've done that song a couple of times. I just really enjoy doing it," she said.

Even Simon can't argue with that.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.