Los Gatos High School Student Places 2nd in South Bay Teen Idol

Los Gatos High School ninth-grader Katie Brown placed second in the South Bay Teen Idol competition at the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos Saturday evening winning a $1,500 prize.

More than 300 people attended the sold-out contest, which is a three-part competition for teenage vocalists.

The challenge is open to all eighth-through-12th-grade students from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, regardless of their religious background.

This was the second annual event and proceeds went to support JCC scholarships and programs.

At the finals each of the 10 finalists performed a solo. The audience also was treated to two group performances by all the soloists, as well as a performance by popular country artist Brodie Stewart and his band, said Jenny Green, a spokeswoman for the JCC.

The judges selected the top three finalists and then the audience voted for the winner, Green explained.

Brandon Farmer, a home-schooled ninth-grader, was this year's first-place winner, receiving a $2,500 prize. Presentation High School student Kayla Kane  won $500 for third place.

The other finalists were Sarah Aaldering of Raymond J. Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, Natalie Arnheim of Kehillah High School, Edd Hackett of Archbishop Mitty High School, Eden Rousso of Westmont High School, Liat Rubin of Los Gatos High School, Alice Tsvinev of Monta Vista High School, and Natasha Turcan of Leigh High School.

Judges were Randy Jones of 95.3 KRTY radio, Robert Hayes of Sound Management Inc., and Ruth Pangilinan of Three Doves Media.

South Bay Teen Idol 2013 was sponsored by Wells Fargo.