Archer named 2009 AFP Idol

Twenty three Ahwatukee Foothills Prep students competed Thursday night for the chance to be named AFP Idol in the school's second talent competition.

For nearly three months the students practiced for this extracurricular competition as the initial pool of 50 was narrowed down to the 23 who performed.

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"They went through the elimination process to get to this point," Howard Brown, principal of Ahwatukee Foothills Prep said. "The competition got pretty intense."

Fourth grader Eriyanna Archer took first place for her rendition of "The Greatest Love of All," taking home the $500 grand prize.

Landon Christianson rocked out on stage to "I Love Rock and Roll," earning the third grader second place and a check for $250.

Third place and a check for $125 went to third grader Da'Janae Holmes for singing "Listen."

"It was very close," Brown said, "we're talking just a few points here or there. They did great, it was certainly well-deserved."

Judges for the competition were Lady La from Latina Filipina, Chris & Emily Danielson from 90.3 Family Life Radio, Leslie Kallio from Signature Models and Talent, Lukas from 97.5, Marissa Sclanfani from Empire Talent and Modeling Agency, and Steve Marshall from Starmaker Talent and Modeling.

Brown said the kids were fabulous and the parents in the audience were very excited enthusiastic.

"There was a lot of individual pride by the performers and it was quite clear how long they'd been working on it," Brown said.

Ahwatukee Foothills Prep is located at 10210 South 50^th Place. For more information, call (480) 763-5101‎.