Sing Your Heart Out

Inspired by the popular TV show “American Idol,” the fourth annual Marian Educational Outreach Tri-State IDOL Gala will take place on Friday, April 25 at the Clarion Inn Conference Center on U.S. Highway 41-N. in Evansville.

“The first year we raised approximately $20,000, last year we netted more than $60,000 so we’re definitely looking to exceed those numbers again this year,” says Beverly Williamson, Director at MEO.

Williamson says MEO is trying something different this year. Instead of “celebrity judges” voting on the winners, they will only use a “pay to vote” system where audience members can donate to support their favorite contestant. The singing competition will feature six finalists who will vie for $1,300 in prizes.

Dinner, a cash bar, and live and silent auctions will accompany the singing competition. DeVonna “Dee Dee” Lawrence, sister to Philip Lawrence, will perform at the 2014 event supporting MEO. Dee Dee grew up in Evansville and is a graduate of Reitz Memorial High School. The Lawrences grew up singing gospel music at their church. When Dee Dee’s brother, Philip Lawrence became successful in the music industry, he moved his entire family from Evansville to Los Angeles. Philip Lawrence has enjoyed remarkable success writing, singing, and recording hit songs with pop phenom Bruno Mars.

“I believe this idea is genius,” says Dee Dee. “Who could go wrong with singing and competing all while helping many deserving students all in the same night.”

MEO is structured as a funding agency that enables Evansville diocesan schools to provide development experiences for their teachers and to provide additional special education programming for students with unique needs.

For more information on the Marian Educational Outreach Tri-State IDOL Gala, see our Guide.

Previous article
Next article

Related Articles

Latest Articles