A nearly full house watched as quarter finalists competed for the next leg of the Okanogan Valley Nashville Country Star towards the title March 15. The 22 who passed through to the semi finals will perform Saturday, March 22 at the Omak PAC at 1 p.m.
     According to Ed Lisenbey, coordinator of the event, the 30 original qualifiers were reduced in numbers by cancellations. Several cancelled beforehand, and some the day of. One contestant had her car break down on the way, Lisenbey said.
     Because of popular vote, the remaining 22 were all sent through. They are:
     From Okanogan: Jessica Johnson, Samantha Culp, C.J. Craig, Jiannah Turk, Mackenzie Craig.
     From East Wenatchee: Alyssa Foland, Christian Russell, Kelli Isaacson.
     From Republic: Rachel Baldwin, Ruthie Brown.
     From Wilbur: Jessica Sheffels.
     From Entiat: Kacie Thrift.
     From Omak: Naomi Farmer.
     From Wenatchee: Bailey Northcott.
     From Tonasket: Brock Hires, Michael Salzman, T.J. Morgan.
     From Coulee Dam: Kayla Newland, Cody Proctor.
     From Kittitas: Kyra Garnich.
     From Cle Elum: Jessica Tibbs.
     From Oroville: Jessica Santana.
     The 10 or 12 who make it through the semi finals will then head to the final competition March 29 at the PAC at 6 p.m.
     Also on Saturday, the junior final competition will hit the PAC at 6 p.m. with 23 4th through 8th graders hoping for the title. They are:
     From Omak: Kayla Good, Alexa Gee, Lana Townsend, Halla Fuhrman, Kamielle Sache, Hailey Hauso.
     From Okanogan: Madison Moe, Emma Moe, Ericka Roberts, Aubree Newton, Ana Baum, Casey Steveson, Sarah Gray, Lacey Howell.
     From Moses Lake: Ellie Gear, Joshua Roberts, Katie Kehler, Avery Maxfield.
     From Warden: Jordan Dinsmoor, Kayla Martinez.
     From Almira: Dani Hayes.
     From Cashmere: Lari Ann Hixssen.
     From Wenatchee: Drew Jaeger.
     Entrance to the semi-final and finals are $8 per person per performance, or a season pass to all competitions is $20 per person.