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AMC 'Icon' winner named

  • Published
  • By Mark Diamond
  • Headquarters AMC Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Airman First Class Johanna Brooks of Fairchild AFB, Wash., was named the winner of the Air Mobility Command Icon competition following the command performance here Oct. 23.

Airman First Class Naomi Nadeau of Dover AFB, Del., garnered second place, and Master Sgt. Robert Martin, representing Travis AFB, Calif., took third.

Other AMC Icon finalists included: Senior Airman David Verde, Charleston AFB, S.C.; Senior Airman Kassandra Seifert of Grand Forks AFB N.D.; Senior Airman Kenneth Dansby, MacDill AFB, Fla.; Airman 1st Class Jonathan Lankford, McChord AFB, Wash.; Airman 1st Class Ruth Rogers, McConnell AFB, Kan.; Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Collins, McGuire AFB, N.J.; Staff Sgt. Marivic Williamson, Pope AFB, N.C.; and Staff Sgt. Tim Herrman, Scott AFB.

"Being part of the AMC Icon competition certainly made me feel proud," said Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Collins, 305th Civil Engineer Squadron. "The competition in one word was amazing. I got to meet impressive people with extraordinary talent who were great representatives of their bases. I was honored to represent Team McGuire, the 305th CES and the best Emergency Management Flight in the Air Force!"

Airman Brooks said it may sound silly, but being a performer has been a dream of hers since she was a little girl singing into hairbrushes and vacuum cleaner handles.

"I feel so lucky to be a part of this competition," she said. "Nothing is better than the thrill of performing for a crowd; making them happy, reflective, [and] evoking the smiles, cheers and heartfelt gratitude."

In addition to bragging rights, as the winner of the AMC Icon competition, Airman Brooks earned $1,000 in cash and a special invitation to audition with Tops in Blue - the U.S. Air Force's premier entertainment showcase. For capturing second and third place, Airman Nadeau and Sergeant Martin earned $600 and $400 respectively.

Airman Brooks said performing for her fellow servicemen and women made the experience even more special.

"There is not a better crowd than my fellow servicemen and women, who I have great respect for," she said. "I cannot even begin to thank them enough for the work they do and sacrifices they make every single day."

She said she has enjoyed every part of her Icon experience.

"Not only have I met a lot of nice people that I wouldn't have otherwise [met], but the recognition feels really good, too. It feels good to get noticed for something you've worked for."

But Airman Brooks said it's not all about winning. "Just getting the chance to be on stage performing for true American heroes and living my dream is a huge reward in itself," she said.

After being a part of AMC Icon, Airman Collins hopes to continue his music career, possibly in the Air Force.

"I can only hope that I can continue my music experience elsewhere in the near future," he said. "A few of us from the competition hope to try out for Tops In Blue this year."

For the final icon competition, the special panel of judges included Capt. Lyndsey Goodman, a C-17 pilot and former American Idol contestant; St. Louis radio personality "Smash" from 103.3; and Dr. Phillip Wilhelm, director of music at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill.

Walter Campbell - who has toured with Tops in Blue and performed throughout the United States and around the world - was the master of ceremonies for the command performance.

The event also featured the Air Force Band of Mid America's Starlifter.

In addition to the live performance at Scott AFB, the final AMC Icon competition was broadcast to clubs at several major AMC bases.

AMC Icon, loosely based around the hit TV show "American Idol," featured vocalists from all 11 AMC bases. The AMC finalists were named the best Airmen amateur vocalists at their respective base-level competitions, held earlier this year.