Some of the area’s most talented teens stepped up to the microphone last week to compete in the 2012 East County Idol contest. More than 500 singers and fans were in attendance at the event, emceed by jazz performer Malcolm Hunter and produced by Linda Thompson and Sharon Vela. Guest performers were 2010 runner-up Ashley Goins and 2008 winner Chanelle Lewis.

Taking the $400 top prize and Idol crown was Liberty High student Idara Akpakpa, who sang Jennifer Hudson’s “And I Am Telling You.” Andie Paredes from Freedom High School earned second place and $200 for her rendition of “Here I Am” by Leona Lewis. The third-place award of $100 went to Raina Vizcarra from Antioch’s Delta Performing Arts Academy. Raina sang “I Will Always Love You,” made famous by Whitney Houston. And De La Salle’s Nicholas Crossen earned fourth place and $50 for his version of “Broken Vow” by Josh Groban.

Those who missed the show the first time around can catch it Saturday, April 28 at noon in the rotunda of Somersville Towne Centre in Antioch. Performances will run the gamut from ballads to Broadway tunes, country, folk, gospel, jazz and pop.