Joint Base Charleston NCO participates in AMC Icon talent competition finals

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
Story by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Date: 10.20.2011
Posted: 10.27.2011 14:11
News ID: 79124
Joint Base Charleston NCO participates in AMC Icon talent competition finals

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Staff Sgt. Mel Penaflorida was one of 10 finalists in the 2011 Air Mobility Command “Icon” competition here, Oct. 20.

Penaflorida, from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., sang “Unchained Melody,” -- a song recorded by the Righteous Brothers and several other artists.

The 2011 edition of AMC Icon took place at the Scott Club. The competition is based loosely on the television show “American Idol.”

According to Sam Parker, from the Manpower, Personnel and Services Directorate (A1) at AMC Headquarters who organized the competition the last four years, Icon is an AMC commander's initiative to showcase the vocal talents of AMC airmen.

Each AMC base holds Icon contests in July and August to determine their representatives for the command final which takes place at Scott AFB.

The guest judges for the 2011 Icon show included “Smash” from the The Smash Band; Maj. Cristina Moore-Urrutia, commander of the AMC Band of Mid-America at Scott AFB; and Dr. Stella Markou, director of vocal studies at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

“I’m impressed with the whole program,” Moore-Urrutia said to the competitors at the end of the show. “Just being a part of this and seeing them lay it all on the line...it's great.”

Markou, who served as a judge for the third straight year, said she was happy to come back and “serve” in the competition but also that she's proud of all who serve.

“I’m glad to see such talented people who also serve our country,” Markou said.

Penaflorida received a participation trophy for being one of the finalists.

To see the entire Icon show from Oct. 20, see the video at: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/128185/air-mobility-command-icon-show