NORWICH – This Friday, Norwich High School senior Shannon Stark will have an opportunity to bring home something which has eluded her since last spring – a first place finish in the Oneonta Junior Idol finals.

Stark, who will graduate in June, first competed in the Oneonta-based vocal contest in 2009, but admitted that nerves got the best of her that year.

“I didn’t do well when I performed last year,” stated Stark. “I was just too nervous and too stiff.”

Since then, Stark said she’s grown dramatically, improving on her acting abilities, something she credits with boosting her confidence this time around.

Norwich High School Choir Director Mary Mayo agreed, and said she believed Stark’s three years in the choir and madrigal programs have helped her to “make steady progress during that time.”

“Her work with us here has done a lot to give her confidence in her voice,” added Mayo. “It’s exciting for her to achieve this goal at this point in her life. She’s a very versatile young lady and she has a legitimate voice.”