Senior J.T. Smith won Carmel Idol, beating out nine other finalists in the singing competition. He sang and strummed “Collide” by Howie Day. Lifelines, Student Venture and the Swing Dance Club sponsored this year’s event.

Smith won $1,000 as reward, half of which will be donated to the Alopecia Areata Foundation. Alopecia Areata is a condition that causes random hair loss, with which he was diagnosed his freshman year.

The three clubs started the event, a knock-off of the hit TV show “American Idol,” last year. Mimicking the show, the trio of three judges, Colts players Jeff Saturday and Dylan Gandy and Administrative Assistant Amy Skeens-Benton, offered commentary for Thursday night’s competition.

The other finalists included Jessamyn Anderson, Brooke Foyer, Johnny Hourmozdi, Josephine Kim, Laura Palmer, Drew Paramore, Anita Rogers, Stephen Skolnick and David Smyth.

A local high school band, The Branches, opened the show.

Last year’s winner was current sophomore Kelly Krauter.