Fourteen local youth took to the stage on Thursday, March 5 to show off their singing talents as the Town’s 2020 Whitby Idol finalists.

The finalists applied and were selected by a panel of judges, and will perform at various Town events throughout the year.

Here are some fun facts about the 2020 finalists

• Aashrita Ponnapalli – Fallingbrook Public School
  • Age: 12
  • Fun Fact: Aashrita’s performance in Whitby Idol was her first time singing in English.
• Adrianna Hopman – All Saints Catholic Secondary School
  • Age: 13
  • Fun Fact: Besides singing, Adrianna enjoys playing soccer.
• Alesha Stevenson – Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
  • Age: 18
  • Fun Fact: Alesha looks up to Adele as her musical inspiration.
• Aliyah Gunn, 16 years old, St. Charles Garnier Catholic Secondary School
  • Age: 16
  • Fun Fact: In addition to singing, Aliyah loves to longboard and skateboard.
• Brooke Cvitkovic –St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School
  • Age: 13 
  • Fun Fact: This was Brooke's first time participating in Whitby Idol.
• Callistia Sotiriou – Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
  • Age: 14
  • Fun Fact: Callistia began playing the piano a year ago.
• Casey Erwin – Brooklin High School
  • Age: 15  
  • Fun Fact: Casey’s favourite musical influences are Shawn Mendes and Tonight.
• Charleigh Lepp – Brooklin High School
  • Age: 16
  • Fun Fact: Charleigh looks up toKelly King and her music teacher as her musical influences.
• Janest Calubayan – All Saints Catholic Secondary School
  • Age: 17
  • Fun Fact: Janest learned to sing from her dad singing karaoke.
• Jessica Docherty – Blair Ridge Public School
  • Age: 14 
  • Fun Fact: Jessica’s biggest influence is her mom.
• Mariah Martin – Anderson CVI
  • Age: 15 
  • Fun Fact: Mariah is inspired by Demi Lovato and Dua Lipa’s music.
• Riley Wheater – Henry Street High School
  • Age: 15 
  • Fun Fact: Riley looks up to the musical talents of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift.
• Sofia Wagar – O’Neill CVI
  • Age: 15
  • Fun Fact: Sofia looks up to Taylor Swift and likes to do musical theatre as a hobby.
• Tanvee Tuppal – Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
  • Age: 16
  • Fun Fact: Tanvee gets her musical inspiration from Ariana Grande’s voice.

Whitby Idol is run by the Whitby Youth Council, which is composed of young people and adults from local schools, agencies and organizations that work together to address the needs of Whitby youth.

For more information, visit whitby.ca/youthevents