GENTRY — Online voting continues through November in the Voice of McDonald’s contests and Kaylin Cripps, a local singer and employee of the Gentry McDonald’s, is averaging five stars in the voting.

Cripps was the winner of the Greater Southwest Region Voice of McDonald’s Singing Contest and is one of 22 semi-finalists from across the United States. If Cripps receives enough online votes, she will go on to represent the United States in the world competition at Orlando, Fla., scheduled for April of 2012.

She faces some tough and talented competition but has an excellent video and an equally excellent chance of going on to Orlando in April.

Voting began Nov. 1 and continues through Nov. 30. Anyone can vote for Cripps by going online at: http://www.voiceofmcdonalds.com/voting/kaylincripps, watching her video and clicking on the number of stars (five stars is the highest rating possible) and clicking on the submit button.

And this is one election where supporters may legitimately stuff the ballot box and vote as often as they like. In fact, supporters of Cripps are encouraged to do so.

"We would like to thank all of the contestants who submitted a video for the U.S. Voice ofMcDonald’s competition," the Voice of McDonald’s website states. "We have shortlisted the contestants to 22 semi-finalists, and now it’s your turn to have a vote. You get to decide who will represent U.S. at the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention in Orlando. So vote for your favorites, and spread the word about their awesome talent!"

Cripps is a senior at Gentry High School and a regular singer at area events. She has also done well in numerous fairs and contests. Even thoughshe didn't think she had a chance and almost didn't bother to enter, she won the McDonald’s Greater Southwest Region Voice of McDonald’s Singing Contest with a submitted video recording of "Mercy" written by Aimée Ann Duffy. She was one of 20,000 employee-contestants in the United States.

In the current contest, she sings "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper. McDonald’s gave her a little more coaching in her singing and did a professional recording of Cripps to make the online video.

The winner of the online voting will advance to compete with 13 other global finalists to become the 2011 Voice of McDonald’s and win the grand prize.

According to the Voice of McDonald’s website, eachglobal finalist will win a paid trip (with a guest) to Orlando to compete for top honors, including: First Prize - U.S. $25,000; Second Prize - $17,000; Third Prize - $12,500; Fourth Prize - $7,500; and other Global Semi-Finalists - $3,000. Additional prizes will be announced on the contest website.

Bill Mathews, owner of the Gentry restaurant and numerous other McDonald’s franchises in the area, said this was a first for himto have an employee win in a regional competition and go on to the nationals.

"This is big," Mathews said. "I have a star working at my McDonald’s!"

Voice of McDonald’s is a worldwide singing contest showcasing the talents of its crews and managers worldwide.

News, Pages 1 on 11/16/2011