Whiz Kid: Kristin Penrose is Newest 'Cherry Idol'

This week's Whiz Kid is Lake Orion resident and Scripps Middle School student Kristin Penrose, who placed first in the preteen division of the National Cherry Festival "Cherry Idol" singing competition this month. Kristin prepared for her audition at the Rochester Conservatory of Music.

'Cherry Idol' Kristin Penrose

School:

Accomplishment: Kristin, 12, entered the fourth annual "Cherry Idol" competition this month while staying with her grandparents in northern Michigan. The singing competition is part of the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City.

Kristin took home first place in the preteen category (12-14 years old) for her performance of the Dixie Chicks' version of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."

Key to awesomeness: Kristin started singing in her family's Tampa, FL, church when she was only 5 years old.

“I remember I was small, and it was during Christmas," she said. "I sang, 'O Come Little Children.' ”

“She did a solo at 5," said her mother, Kim.

The Penrose family lived in Florida for six years before moving back back to Michigan three years ago; Kristin, now in seventh grade, began taking voice lessons not long after the family relocated.

Kristin sings in her school's choir and has performed the national anthem at events in Lake Orion. She is one of three students in the Lake Orion School District who recently won a scholarship for voice lessons.

"I got a scholarship for the choir," Kristin explained. "I won $200 for private lessons.”

She used part of her scholarship at the to prepare for her "Cherry Idol" competition. Her voice teacher, Janice Rodden, helped Kristin perfect her audition piece.

“She did a pretty good job helping me with 'Landslide,' ” Kristin said.

She also sang an a cappella version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for her initial audition.

When she isn't singing, Kristin is earning a few extra dollars baby-sitting neighborhood children. The entrepreneurial 12-year-old even has her own baby-sitting company – Mother's Helper – and said she may someday make a career out of working with children.

“I was going to start my own preschool," Kristin said. "I think I still am, but I want to be a singer/songwriter, too.”

For now, though, she said she is just enjoying singing.

“My favorite part is just having fun," Kristin said. "That’s all you tend to do is have fun.”

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Each week, Oakland Township Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Jen Anesi. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)