Sixteen-year-old Rikki Lee Hort of Endeavour, SK was chosen as the 2011 GX94 Star Search Champion at the Yorkton Exhibition on Saturday night.
It was the first year in the competition for Hort, who has been singing since she was 10 years old. She had previously participated in the GX94 Junior Star Search and other singing competitions.
Hort was the youngest of eight finalists from Saskatchewan and Manitoba taking part in the last round of the competition on the weekend. Yorkton was represented onstage by finalist Bridgett Carl and special guest 2010 Star Search Champion Rayanne Ottenbreit.
The performers sung in front of a packed grandstand on the exhibition grounds.
"I'm very, very excited," said Hort after her win.
As Star Search Champion, Hort received a handcrafted Montana Silversmith Belt Buckle, the recording and distribution of two songs, and the use of a vehicle from Haas Nissan for a year.
"It's going to be a good experience hearing myself on the radio," said the winner.
Hort, a Grade 12 student, is now learning to play guitar and hopes to continue pursuing her musical career, but she isn't sure just what the next step will be.
"I have no idea. I'll have to see how it goes from here."
