Tie in Freehold Idol Finale

The 2011 Freehold Idol finale for the 10- to 14-year-old age group produced the first tie in the local singing competition’s four-year history. Judges Neal Girandola, Brenda K. Starr and Joe Orlando heard 14 winners from earlier rounds of the competition perform Wednesday, Aug. 24 in front of the Hall of Records building in Freehold.

When the judges’ votes were tallied, Emily Bennett, 12, of Howell, and Andrew Malabunga, 12, of Robbinsville, came out on top. Bennett sang “I Dreamed a Dream,” and Malabunga performed "Faithfully." Brooke Salamone, 11, of Freehold, came in third place with her rendition of “The Story of Us.”

Other performances of the evening included:

• Adalhia Morgan, 14, of Old Bridge, singing "I Still Believe"
• Alexa DeAnna, 13, of Keansburg, singing "Because Of You"
• Sofia LoMonaco, 12, of Marlboro, singing "Someone Like You"
• Melissa Cecchini, 13, of Freehold, singing "Do You Believe In Magic"
• Julianna Lorenzetti, 14, of Marlboro, singing "My Immortal"
• Erin Ober, 13, of Colts Neck, singing "At Last"
• Leah Nawy, 10, of Lincroft, singing "Gone"
• Sydney O'Malley, 10, of Freehold, singing "Rollin' In The Deep"
• Kaeleigh Spreen, 12, of Middletown, singing "Natural Woman"
• Gabe Greenwood, 14, of Princeton, singing "I Don’t Want To Be"

Bennett and Malabunga walked away with $500 and recording time at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts, while Salamone took home $100.