Four solo contestants and one duo tried their luck at being the next USI Idol Friday evening.

Junior pyschology major Kelsee Claire was a judge during auditions, which were held on March 21.

“From what I remember, we judged them on creativity, performance, stage presence and pitch,” Claire said.

She also said there were plenty of posters around campus promoting the event.

“I think that the students were well informed by the posters hanging all over campus and the information that we provided on facebook,” Claire said.

Executive SpringFest committee member Johannah Caress said only the top five performed on stage.

“We decided to use the outdoor stage to have the final five perform their songs during SpringFest,” Caress said.

The finalists were critiqued during the show.

“There were three judges – one of which was Big Boy from Kiss FM,” Caress said. “They were chosen carefully. They all knew music very well. It was fair because none of the judges knew the contestants, so they were able to give their honest opinions.”

Sophomore accounting and finance major Justin Forshey won the competition.

“It’s a great feeling,” Forshey said. “I think it’s great that we have events like this on our campus. It’s a great way for students to show off their talent.”

Forshey, who has been playing the guitar since the age of 14 and singing since the age of 17, said he found out about USI Idol the day before auditions.

“A couple of my buddies told me about it,” Forshey said. “I figured it’d be a good time and I’d have some fun, so I tried out.”

Forshey sang Angels on the Moon by Thriving Ivory.

“It’s just one of those songs that I’d been playing for a while and I felt comfortable with it,” Forshey said.

At the end of the show, he received an envelope with a prize inside.

“I got $100 for a three-minute song,” Forshey said. “I ought to make a living doing that.”