Canadian student crowned as Saba Idol 2013

Canadian student at Saba University School of Medicine (SUSOM), Blake Waters, was crowned winner of the tenth annual Saba Idol Competition Friday night at Scout’s Place in Windwardside. This writes The Daily Herald.

Waters is famous on Saba, not just for his enviable physique and great personality, but also for starting the popular weekly “Jazzercise” classes, which combine dance fitness with aerobic moves. The free classes have become popular with many locals of all ages, including mother-and-daughter participants.

Waters’ performances throughout the Saba Idol season were outstanding. His stage presence and vocal abilities were undeniable. Using his abs as stage props, Waters scored 260 points, overshadowing Rhiannon Jorna (corr. SabaNews), who clearly commended the attention of the men audience. Also known as “Teacher Jorna,” the Dutch-Australian gathered 252 points.

Vietnamese-American medical student Anh Bui was a dangerous outsider with sultry vocal and dance moves that floored the audience. Her ambitious choice of song may, however, not have allowed her diva voice to fully sparkle. During that same night, Bui also performed solo and with the Med School Choir during SUSOM’s Christmas Fundraising Concert, a place where her angelic vocal abilities truly shined.

This year’s Saba Idol jury comprised former Saba Idol winner Johnny Mateo, Tjeerd Abma from the Netherlands, Scout’s Place owner Barbara Tooten and Sue Cinnamom from the US. Former Idol winner Irvine “Topo” Riley and Scout’s Place owner Wolfgang Tooten were the evening’s hosts.

Tooten highlighted the large number of both local and St. Maarten businesses that patron the annual competition. Director of Tourism Glenn Holm handed out the trophies.