Photo By Sgt. John Montoya | First Lt. Eboni Sherrer (middle) displays her prize for winning first place in the...... read more read more
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Camp Bondsteel has wrapped up its Operation Rising Star competition and chosen the soldier who will represent Kosovo Forces 14 in the main competition in the U.S. 1st Lt. Eboni Sherrer, an intelligence officer with the 221st Military Intelligence Company based in Fort Gillam, Ga., won over Bondsteel by singing hits like “At Last” by Etta James and Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary.”
Since the competition began in early August the soldiers on Bondsteel had the opportunity to watch it live and vote for their favorite singer to represent them in the main competition held in the U.S. in October. The competition began with eight vocalists and Sherrer was chosen after several rounds of voting. Each round had the singers perform different musical genres such as country, oldies, Broadway and classic rock.
Sherrer said the most difficult part of the competition was choosing songs in genres she was not familiar with. She said, “Anything gospel or soul, Christian music or anything on the contemporary side I’m comfortable with. When we got to the week where we had to sing a country song, I had no idea. ‘What do I sing?’”
As well as learning new genres of music, Sherrer was able to make new friends through the competition. Many times deployed soldiers may only spend time with soldiers in their individual sections, but this competition gave the contestants a chance to mingle over shared interests. “It gave me the opportunity to know some of the people from other sections and it broadened my friendship spectrum,” said Sherrer.
Another unique part of this competition is the fact that Bondsteel is the only deployed environment where soldiers compete in Operation Rising Star. That can add another layer of difficulty in two different ways. First, the soldiers must perform their duties above all else to keep the mission going, and second, they now compete against soldiers and their families in garrison.
“The things you want, you make time for,” said Sherrer. “Yes I’ve lost some sleep, because I still have to work. I still have tasks and things I have to complete and it’s always mission first.”
Renee Favors, the Moral, Welfare and Recreation program specialist for Camp Bondsteel, said, “It’s difficult when you’re in a deployed area. Garrison is so much easier, because you have so many more people to pull from, plus you also have family members and such in garrison, whereas we just have our soldiers here.”
In addition to winning the competition Sherrer also won a $500 gift card to the Post Exchange. The runner up, Sgt. Mario Montoya, won a $250 gift card and the third place contest, Capt. Kellie Whittlinger, won a $100 gift card.
Even though the competition is complete on Bondsteel, the excitement and anticipation is only beginning for Sherrer. If the past is any indication of the future, Sherrer has a lot to look forward to. Previous contestants who’ve won at the Bondsteel competition have also done well in the U.S.
“The last two years we’ve actually gotten to the first round in D.C., so we’re hoping for a third year. The third time’s the charm,” said Favors.
Although hopes are high, the rest of the competition is still very daunting for Sherrer. Favors and Sherrer are submitting a video package to the judges in D.C. which highlights Sherrer’s singing abilities. But for the one video Bondsteel sends to the capitol, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of submissions from service members and their families worldwide. After the judges go through all the videos only 12 contestants are chosen for the next phase of the competition, said Favors.
Despite the odds Sherrer holds out hope for a chance to represent Kosovo Forces 14. “Me personally, I believe in prayer, and I’m going to pray over my envelope, cover it with a special blessing and make sure when they open it, it has that special glow that comes from within,” said Sherrer.
Although she is a natural singer, Sherrer wouldn’t have signed up for the contest without being persuaded by her fellow contestant Sgt. Sherry Burch, who brought her the application. “I’m thankful for Sergeant Burch, because she’s the one who said, ‘Hey ma’am! You should do this!’,” said Sherrer. “Without someone like her, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Even with the joy of her personal triumph, Sherrer has a lot of respect for her fellow singers and she gained some deep and meaningful friendships with the other soldiers in the competition.
“It’s not easy, whether you have a great voice or a not so great voice, the courage to stand before people is worthy of an applause,” said Sherrer.
With the Bondsteel competition behind her all she can do is wait until the 12 contestants are chosen from the different worldwide contests on Oct. 13. The winner of the entire 2011 Operation Rising Star wins a trip to Los Angeles, where they record a three track demo compact disc. The trip also includes air fare, lodging, $1,000 spending money and three days and nights of studio time with the support of top-rate musicians and recording technicians.
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2011 10:48 |
| Story ID: | 77690 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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