News>Stars shine bright during final round of Misawa Idol
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, presents Ruthie Rimpson, wife of Airman 1st Class Omar Rimpson, 35th Surgical Operations Squadron, with a $1,000 cardboard check May 6. Mrs. Rimpson was named the winner of the 35th Force Support Squadron Misawa Idol contest. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Jimmy Moreland, Detachment 12 Armed Forces Network, performs for a packed house May 6. The 35th Force Support Squadron held the final round of Misawa Idol where seven contestants competed for the grand prize of $1,000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Ruthie Rimpson, wife of Airman 1st Class Omar Rimpson, 35th Surgical Operations Squadron, sings "Listen" during the final round of Misawa Idol May 6. Seven contestants competed in the final round and had to perform two songs each for the judges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)
5/9/2011 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 35th Force Support Squadron held the final round of Misawa Idol May 7. More than 20 contestants tried out for the competition with only 16 making the final cut. Seven contestants were judged during the final round as they sang two songs each for the judges.
Misawa Idol has been a base tradition for the last four years. More than 50 hopeful contestants have tried their luck over the years but only four have earned the title of Misawa Idol. This year's Misawa Idol winner was Ruthie Rimpson, wife of Airman 1st Class Omar Rimpson, 35th Surgical Operations Squadron.
"In my four years of judging, this is the best overall talent pool we've had," said Tech. Sgt. Lin Robinson, 35th Communications Squadron and Misawa Idol judge. "It was not only difficult to select contestants to compete but also to judge them week-to-week because they all brought strong voices and their own unique style."
