The BMS Idol Experience: Meet Bekah James
By Julie Perine on May 24, 2013
The first time she saw her name flashing on the sign outside Bridgeport Middle School, Bekah James experienced a surreal moment.The eighth grade student who delivered a lively rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” at Wednesday’s BMS Idol finals said she sure didn’t expect to win.
When it was announced that Taylor Steele earned third place and a trio of rockers - Megan Rinker, Alisha Pinti and Zela Roets - was named runner-up, she said her hopes for a spot faded.
“I almost gave up,” James said. “If anything, I was expecting third place.”
But when she was called out as the 2013 BMS Idol and asked to perform an encore performance, it was done so in “shocked fashion,” said Principal Carole Crawford.
James said her three years at BMS were definitely made complete with Wednesday’s experience.
“It was almost definitely my favorite memory,” she said. “It was such an amazing experience to be able to do this – to make it this far (in BMS Idol) … I sing in theater, but to perform like this was just so amazing and teachers and friends were just so supportive.”
The school’s annual “Idol” contest began this year with about 60 contestants, 22 of whom went on to semifinals and were narrowed by an appointed panel of student judges to a pool of 12. Those dozen performers presented a variety of acts before the BMS student body at Wednesday’s finals.
“We had a sixth grader do tutting – the wearing of gloves with fingertips in different colors and moving rhythmically to the music,” Crawford said. “We had a seventh grade, all-girl rock band with led singer, drummer and bass guitarist and we had a seventh grade vocalist accompany herself on piano.”
The remainder of the contestants delivered vocal performances.
The finals were judged by a designated panel of adult judges, who had experience in the fields of entertainment. The panel consisted of Jason Young of Vintage Theatre Company, BHS and Fairmont State University theater; Natalie Aliff of Connect-Bridgeport.com; Tyler Terango of the West Virginia Italian Heritage festival board and Bryanna DeFazio, local performer, dancer and model.
The show opened with a performance by 2011 BMS Idol Kylie Frame and closed with a number delivered by 2012 co-winner, Gabriella Mazza. BHS senior Chiara Pulice, who held the title in 2009, added a bonus performance, Crawford said.
In its ninth year, the BMS Idol competition is among the students’ favorite events of the year.
“It’s just one of those things they look forward to and really like,” Crawford said. “It showcases a lot of different talents and it’s amazing how much talent there is. It’s really interesting to see what the kids can do.”
James said she put a lot of thought into her performance and was inspired by one of her favorite vocalists to choose the blues-fused “Feeling Good.”
“Carly Rose won second place on The X Factor singing it,” James said. “She’s our age and that was her audition song and I’m obsessed with it because it’s a fun song to sing, shows personality and really has a wide range.”
For her preliminary performance before her peers, James chose a leopard-print themed outfit with matching hat and for Wednesday, a similar ensemble in a salmon floral pattern. She also wowed the crowd by starting her vocal performance on a stool with microphone in hand, then relocated at a mic stand, as well as taking her song up-close-and-personal before the audience.
James is a stage regular - a member of school and community theater, including performances with West Virginia Public Theatre and Fairmont State University Town & Gown Summer Theatre. Her next roles will be Amy March in FSU’s production of “Little Women” and Rosie in Vintage Theatre Company’s “Golden Horseshoe” play. With a performance of Sara Evans’ “Born to Fly,” she holds a second place finish in the Doddridge County Fair talent show. She is a member of and choreographer for the BMS Show Choir and plays saxophone in the jazz band. James plans to continue all of those entertainment avenues throughout high school and beyond, she said.
“I’m not sure what I will do after I graduate, but I know it will have to do with people and probably performing,” she said. “Whether that’s singing or theater, I hope to do it for the rest of my life.”
James is the daughter of Cindy and Jeff James and the sister of BHS senior Jonah James and 2007 BHS graduate Haleigh James Murray.
See Ben Queen's gallery featuring BMS Idol performers HERE.
Below is Bekah's award-winning performance.
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