And then there were 12.

West Virginia University Student Affairs officials have announced the finalists who will compete Saturday, Sept. 9, in the first elimination round of WVU s popular Mountaineer Idol singing contest.

They are: Samantha Bartlow , a senior voice performance major from Chapmanville; Dani Brake , a senior broadcast journalism major from Fairmont; Priscilla Brock , a sophomore pharmacy major from Smithfield, Pa.; Kaitlin Buchanan , a freshman elementary education major from Morgantown; Mollie Burdette , a freshman music major from Parkersburg; Clayton Caswell , a graduate student in microbiology from Waco, Texas; Kris Corbett , a freshman music education major from Charleston; Lindsey Helfer , a sophomore advertising major from Glendale; Kasey Hott , a sophomore broadcast journalism major from High View; Justin Johnson , a junior history major from Ripley; Stefania Piatkiewicz , a senior nutrition major from Phoenix, Ariz.; and Karrah Smith , a graduate student in international marketing communications from Bruceton Mills.The Mountaineer Idol event is free and open to the public as part of annual Fall Family Weekend activities (Sept. 8-10) at the University.

The WVU version of the hit TV show,American Idol,drew more than 50 student-contestants this year, according to Sonja Wilson, senior program coordinator at the Mountainlair. Each had to perform a capella during Aug. 30 auditions, and the field was narrowed to 12 finalists.

This is the third year for Mountaineer Idol, which continues to grow in popularity, Wilson added.

This whole program has become more than I ever imagined,she said.Our Idol contestants have received many opportunities to perform; theyve really become idols on campus. Theyve performed at Blaney House (home of the WVU president), Beauty and the Feast and last years Capital Classic.

As with previous Mountaineer Idol competitions, Wilson is enlisting the help of local celebrity judges, including Steve Goodwin, chairman of WVU s Board of Governors and former president of the WVU Alumni Association, and Susan Hardesty, wife of WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. and national chair of the Mountaineer Parents Club.

During elimination rounds, performers will be judged on singing ability, overall performance and how well he or she adapts to each genre of music. The two students with the lowest scores at the end of each round will be eliminated, and results will be revealed on the MIX (Mountaineer Information Xpress).

Mountaineer Idol culminates when the top three contestants compete in a finale at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, wrapping up 59th annual Mountaineer Week activities at WVU .

The winner will receive $1,000; first runner-up, $750; and second runner-up, $250donated by Coca-Cola.

The competition schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, Sept. 9First elimination round, contestants choice of song,8:30 p.m.,Lair ballrooms, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• Friday, Sept. 22Second elimination round,80s music, 8:30 p.m.,Lair ballroomsFriday, Oct. 6Third elimination round, country music, 8:30 p.m.,Lair ballrooms

• Friday, Oct. 13Fourth elimination round, solid gold oldies, 9 p.m.,Lair commons area, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• Friday, Oct. 27Fifth elimination round, pop/rock from the year the contestant was born, 8:30 p.m.,Lair ballroomsSunday, Nov. 12Final competition, contestants choice of song, 3 p.m.,Lair ballrooms, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Mountaineer Idol is sponsored by Coca-Cola and organized by WVU Student Affairs in partnership with Fox 46 (Dont missAmerican Idolreturning this January to FOX 46 ).

For additional information pertaining to auditions and rules, contact Wilson at 304-293-2702.