Meet the 11 Putnam County Star finalists

The second-annual Putnam County Star will be decided by 11 finalists between Sunday and Wednesday at the Putnam County Fair.

The competition will feature preliminary performances on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at the Dixie Chopper Free Stage, followed by the finals on Wednesday.

Each performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Penny buckets will be passed around during the performances so the crowd can vote for their favorite singer, with the total counting toward the overall score.

The performance schedule will run as follows:

* Sunday: Taylor Strong, Cord Watkins, Jodi Buis and Phoebe Migliano

* Monday: Shelley Douglass, Ashley Wilson, Marin Nally and Sarah Arnold

* Tuesday: Stephanie Metz, Mariah Minnick and Jalyn Norton

* Wednesday Finale: All contestants

Taylor Strong

Taylor Strong, 14, Greencastle, is entering her freshman year in high school.

She loves to sing and play softball and basketball. Strong plays a little bit of guitar and is always writing a new song.

I perform just about any kind of music I like performing something that I can add my own little twist to.

I want to be a Putnam County Star because being up on a stage doing what I love to do and wanting that moment to never end is the best feeling in the world," she said. "You never know who is out there watching you. I always will dream of being a famous singer and by winning the Putnam County Star, I'd be one step closer to making my dreams come true.

Jodi Buis

Jodi Buis, 18, Greencastle, is a recent Greencastle High School graduate who will attend Indiana State University in the fall. She will major in music business. She is currently a waitress at the Putnam Inn.

In high school, I participated as lead roles in the fall musicals and spring plays. I was also a member of the GHS Classics Choir for three years and was a four year member of the GHS Varsity Girls' Track and Field team as a pole vaulter.

When I'm not entertaining, I'm singing around the house -- or anywhere in general. Music is always apart of my daily life. I also love to hang out with my friends and family, be outdoors, go watch movies and just enjoy being a teenager. Life is too short not to enjoy it and have fun.

I love to perform any music that gets to the listeners hearts. My favorite music to perform is country/blues music for that reason. Music is meant to make you feel something, and if I can emotionally connect to someone due to them listening to a song I'm singing, it makes everything that I do worth it.

For me, music and performing isn't just a hobby I picked up one day: it's a way of life. I can't imagine living in a world without music, and I want to be able to connect to people through my music and reach their souls, and becoming the Putnam County Star would prove that I have accomplished that.

Cord Watkins

Cord Watkins, 21, Eminence, is a 2011 Eminence High School graduate. He graduated from Vincennes University in 2013 with an associates degree in conservation law enforcement.

Watkins has been a farmer all his life, but also works construction.

I'm very involved in the little league here in Eminence, as well as coaching high school baseball here as well. I also perform at weddings, parties, and other get togethers.

I spend most of my time songwriting, singing, playing the various musical instruments that I play, hunting, fishing and I still try to keep up with playing baseball and basketball.

I play a lot of traditional, outlaw style country mixed with a little rock and blues. Some newer material as well. Mostly I sing about what I know.

My dream and goal with my music is to make real country popular again. The kind of stuff that really grabs a hold of your emotions. What better place to start than right here around home by winning this competition and getting my name out there.

Phoebe Migliano

Phoebe Migliano, 26, Greencastle, has a master's degree in anthropology and works at the DePauw University Lib-rary.

She enjoys running, playing video games and spending time with her husband and family. Her hobbies include knitting and crocheting, playing guitar and piano.

I love to sing classic rock songs, and blues/R and B. I will also sing anything that I can really put some feeling and soul behind.

I grew up in a household full of music. I don't remember a time when I wasn't performing music in some way. I really enjoy sharing my love of music and my love of singing and being a Putnam County Star is a wonderful way to do that.

Sarah Arnold

Sarah Arnold, 16, Greencastle, is homeschooled and will be entering the 11th grade.

Besides her many hobbies, she participates in the Putnam County Pioneers 4-H Club.

I have too many hobbies to count. I love to sing, sew, read, write, cook, make jewelry, act, watch movies, and get together with friends.

My favorite kinds of music to perform would have to be musicals, opera, operettas, and special musics for church. I love Gilbert and Sullivan, Rogers and Hammerstien, and the greats like Bach, Puccini, and others.

I want to be a Putnam County Star because first of all, it's a good experience to sing in front of people. Second, simply because I love to sing and want to share my love of music with Putnam County.

Ashley Wilson

Ashley Wilson, 19, Cloverdale, is a 2013 graduate of South Putnam who is currently attending Indiana University, majoring in elementary education.

I like to go camping, snow skiing, hiking, play guitar, chill with family and friend and travel.

I like to perform any music that has great lyrics. I don't have a favorite genre so anything goes.

I want to be a Putnam County Star because I want to be able to share my love of music with the county. Performing music helped me come out of my shell and stopped me from being the quiet nervous girl in the back of the classroom. If sharing my music helped someone else, I would be very content knowing that it all started with the music.

Shelley Douglass

Shelley Douglass, 25, Greencastle, works in the front office at Greencastle Hometown Dental.

She also sings in a Christian duo with her fiancé James.

I love singing whether it's karaoke, singing competitions, or just singing in the car. I also love playing sports especially tennis since I played in high school. My all time favorite thing is just playing and being around my two-year-old daughter. She likes to perform more than I do.

I love singing country, of course. I am a sucker for Sugarland but I also like finding new unknown artist that are acoustic and folksy like A Fine Frenzy or Missy Higgens.

I like the idea of just being able to perform for anyone. It could be one person in the audience or one hundred. It's just being able to do something you love that's important. I had a really fun time last year just not with the performing but getting to know other local talent. I'm just excited about doing it again.

Mariah Minnick

Mariah Minnick, 18, Poland, is a recent graduate of South Putnam and will be attending Indiana State University in the fall to start toward her bachelor degree in nursing.

She enjoys singing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, visiting with family and going to church.

My hobbies include playing guitar/piano, reading, and trying new things.

I love to perform bluegrass Christian, contemporary Christian, and gospel song the most. However, On my own time I love to sing all types of country music.

I want to be a Putnam County Star for a couple reasons. First, I want to be able to learn new things and grow in my music ministry. Lastly I want to be able to impact peoples lives. I want to learn to come out of my comfort zone and be who I was always meant to be. I want people to become closer to God and to be inspired to never give up on their dreams no matter how big or small they are. People will criticize you as they have done me but I want people to know that despite the criticism they can achieve their dreams if they stand strong and fight for what they believe in. I want people to believe in themselves.

Marin Nally

Marin Nally, 14, Greencastle, is a freshman at Greencastle High School

She enjoys playing basketball.

I obviously like to sing and perform. I really enjoy fishing, reading, hanging out with friends, swimming, putting on shows for my family and acting.

I like to perform rock-influenced music because I like to have fun on stage. I enjoy upbeat music, ballads, pop and country.

I had such a great experience from this competition last year and there are only so much opportunities in Greencastle to perform. I want to be famous and win awards and be known, and being the Putnam County Star is one step closer to my ultimate goal.

Jalyn Marie Norton

Jalyn Marie North, 15, Waveland, is a sophomore at Southmont High School.

She participates in softball, basketball, drama club and show choir. Her hobbies include performing, traveling, swimming, voice lessons and playing video games.

I like to perform mainly Broadway style songs. But I often perform pop and country also.

I love performing and being on stage and this is the perfect opportunity to do that and to gain experience. I just love entertaining people and hopefully making them happy.

Stephanie Metz

Stephanie Metz, 28, Brazil, is a personal banker at Fifth Third Bank.

She is a member of Alpha Omega chapter of Delta Theta Tau and also enjoys golfing. Her hobbies include playing guitar, banjo, tenor banjo and piano as well as singing and writing music.

I like to perform anything from bluegrass to rock and everything in between.

I want to be Putnam County Star so I can die famous in a small town.