OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — More than a week after a deadly shooting, which targeted the Jewish Community Center, auditions resumed for KC SuperStar.
Dr. William Corporon was dropping off his grandson, 14-year-old Reat Underwood, to audition for the show when a man allegedly opened fire. Corporon and Underwood were killed in the shooting.
RELATED: JCC shootings
As of Wednesday it had been 10 days since the shooting spree at the JCC, and organizers of the singing competition began proceeding with the auditions, although a lot of people were still thinking about the victims and their families.
Students from metro area high schools were back on track and competing in the fifth annual KC SuperStar auditions, where the mood was much more upbeat on Wednesday evening.
The American Idol style, singing competition gives students a chance to show off their singing abilities and compete for a $10,000 scholarship.
Even as they performed, many of the students were thinking about their friend and fellow performer, 14-year-old Underwood, who died in the JCC shooting spree.
“But I know a lot of people who knew him and I, there was nothing but good things said about him, so I just, I think it was a horrible act of violence and just hopefully that, I mean we’re here to overcome it, and just keep doing what we love, which is music,” said contestant Cooper McGuire.
“I was thinking about it a lot that it looks like they are moving on and you know, thoughts are always with the family,” said Malia Shelton, who was also at the community center trying out for the singing competition.
Only one student will be chosen as the best high school singer in the area. The final competition will be held in August.
