11 Airmen take worldwide talent search honors

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force officials here selected the top 11 Air Force entertainers from 74 Airmen who gathered for the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search Jan. 17 through 25 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The Air Force's top talents were chosen after nine days of auditions, rehearsals and interviews, which culminated in three nights of competition.

The best performer took home the "Roger" award for first place and the second place winner received the "Wilco" award.

The winners from this year's worldwide talent search are:
-- 1st place in the female vocalist category went to Airman 1st Class Monique Robertson-Jamison from Lackland AFB. Airman 1st Class Jette Warnick from Cannon AFB, N.M., took second place.
-- 1st place in the male vocalist category went to Staff Sgt. Harron Elloso from Langley AFB, Va. Staff Sgt. Sidney Okagu from McConnell AFB, Kan., took second place.
-- 1st place in the instrumentalist category went to Airman 1st Class Breyson Robinson from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., for drums. Airman 1st Class Edward Whittle Jr. from Elemendorf AFB, Alaska, for keyboards took second place.
-- 1st place in the specialty category went to Staff Sgt. Steven Sonnier from Hurlburt Field, Fla. Senior Airman Adam Rideaux from Malmstron AFB, Mont., took second place.
-- 1st place in the vocal self-accompanied category went to 1st Lt. John Early from Malmstrom AFB. Master Sgt. Robert Clark from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., took second place
-- 1st place in the top technician category went to Tech. Sgt. Matthew Flowers from the Iowa Air National Guard.
-- Best of show went to Airman Robertson-Jamison.

In addition to competing for worldwide talent search honors, the entertainers also auditioned for spots on the Tops In Blue roster, which will be announced shortly.

The winners of the worldwide talent contest were announced at an awards banquet at Lackland AFB Jan. 25.

"With more than 300 Airmen who applied, the performances were extremely competitive," said Tom Edwards, the chief of Air Force Entertainment. "The live performances were amazing to watch because there is so much talent in the Air Force. We saw everything from vocalist and instrumentalist, from opera to a human beat box. The quality of the performances by the entertainers this year was phenomenal."