Homer Glen Teen Wins Skokie Idol

HOMER GLEN, IL — After four months of competition, Homer Glen teenager Gabby Costello was recently awarded first prize in the teen division for Skokie Idol, a singing competition held by Skokie Theatre.

Gabby, an eighth grader at Homer Junior High, said she first heard about the competition through her singing lessons at School of Rock in Mokena.

The annual competition is normally held in-person, but it took place virtually this year, starting in January. Gabby said she submitted a song a week, and then received feedback from judges after each video.

Gabby's mom, Heidi Rademacher, said judges included local theater staff and vocal coaches.

Gabby submitted six videos of her singing before she reached the semi-finals; two more videos were submitted for the semi-finals and then three videos were recorded for the finals.

"There were all different genres in the first six weeks," Gabby said, adding that that was her favorite thing about the competition.

"I really liked how they made us come up with different songs in different genres," she said. "I didn't think I would enjoy singing some songs, [but] the genres I was nervous about, were the songs I loved the most."

When the winner of the teen division was announced on May 15, Gabby said she was "very surprised."

"I'm still processing," she said.

Gabby is a member of the chorus at Homer Junior High, including the show choir and the concert chorale.

"She sings non-stop, she's quite the singer," Rademacher said.

You can check out Gabby's singing below: