Her brother, Donavan Epperson, remembers having to “introduce” his older sister when she would perform for others.
Julie Yonkers of South Middle School, remembers her former choir student as someone who could always be counted on to “light up the stage.”
Now, 19-year-old Joplin native Asia’h Epperson is making her mark in the national spotlight, advancing from thousands of auditioners to a spot among the top 16 contestants on “American Idol.”
With a personal story that captured the attention of “Idol” judges and TV viewers — her father died days before her audition, and she dedicated a song in his memory — as well as her strong vocal delivery, it comes as no surprise that her local fans have gone “Crazia’h for Asia’h.”
Nearly 30 million viewers tuned in Wednesday night and watched as Epperson closed out the show with her rendition of “All By Myself” — an apt description of how the amateur singer has navigated the competition with style and grace, paying tribute to her hometown along the way.
“American Idol” has become a proven launching ground for young singers. Among past competitors who did not ultimately win the title are performers who have sold millions of albums and even an Oscar winner.
We believe she has a bright future ahead of her.
Good luck, Asia’h.
Opinion
In Our View 'h : We're Crazia 'h for Asia 'h
- Opinion
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Our View: A better way of limit terms
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state Legislature, either the House or the Senate.
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Your View: Is it our fault?
When did coveting things and money take over character? What happened?
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Your View: No way to run a school
All throughout the state of Missouri, you’ll hear much discussion about teacher tenure and the indefinite contracts that go along with that. Most — if not nearly all — jobs in the private and public sectors have no such career protection.
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Your View: Prime suspects
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Our View: Worldwide concern
There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.
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Other Views: FAA deal up in air five years
The Federal Aviation Administration bill was delayed 23 times, but the agency finally has a law giving it $63 billion and full operating authority for the next four years.
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Don Ray, columnist: Obama's pipeline excuse an election-year cop-out
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project — a project that had its beginnings some 40 months ago (September 2008).
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James Whitford, guest columnist: Broken people or broken system?
Are the people broken or is the system broken? If you walk into Watered Gardens, our rescue mission, it may seem the people are broken. But it’s a rescue mission. It just feels that way. And sometimes, it just looks that way.
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Our View: Meaningless in Missouri
Missourians have an opinion about who should be the Republican candidate to run against Barack Obama in November. Too bad it won’t matter.
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Carol Stark: Joplin’s future depends on today’s land ethic
Leopold’s small book of essays and philosophical writings about the ethical call to love and respect the land made a big impact on the conservation movement over 60 years ago, and it continues to do so today.
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