University of Mobile Student Wins Contest to Sing National Anthem at Senior Bowl

University of Mobile student Catherine Odom of St. Stephens, Ala., has been selected as the winner in the fifth annual Senior Bowl Superstar contest, giving her the opportunity to perform on national television.

Odom will perform the national anthem on national television and in front of approximately 40,000 fans during the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl pre-game show on Jan. 26 at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile.

Odom’s supporters helped her win the contest and the Superstar title by voting online for her on the Senior Bowl and WKRG-TV websites on Jan. 11-13. Over 8,500 votes were cast during the three days of voting.

Odom was selected during preliminary competition held on Saturday, January 5, at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. She appeared on the WKRG-TV morning show on Jan. 10 and 11, singing the national anthem as well as “At Last,” a song made famous by blues performer Etta James.

“I would like to thank all of this year’s Superstar competitors and congratulate Catherine, our Senior Bowl Superstar for 2008,” said Senior Bowl Sales and Marketing Director Chris Morgan. “We had an outstanding group of talented participants, which enabled us to select three finalists, each of whom would have done an excellent job of singing the national anthem prior to this year’s game.”

Odom, a 19-year-old sophomore at the Baptist-affiliated university, is no stranger to the stage. As part of the University of Mobile Center of Performing Arts ensemble SOUNDS of Mobile, she has performed before thousands in the highly energetic 12-voice song and dance ensemble. She is also a part of UM’s University Singers, Upper Room Dinner Theatre, and Ramalettes, a barbershop-style quartet.

Odom, the daughter of Frankie and Cathy Odom of St. Stephens, is majoring in music education with a concentration in voice. The 2006 graduate of Leroy High School is a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson.