Nicola McClain captivated the audience on Sunday, singing her way to the No. 1 spot in the ‘‘Omega Idol” countywide youth talent competition.
 
‘‘I’m really excited,” she said. ‘‘I’ve never really won a competition before.”

The Gaithersburg High School senior, who performed ‘‘I Am Changing” from the ‘‘Dreamgirls” soundtrack, impressed the judges with her stage presence and her big voice at the competition sponsored by the Mu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

‘‘She was the most comfortable on the stage,” said Godfrey E. Maynor, a competition judge and member of the fraternity, also noting McClain’s expressions and voice control.

Eight high school students from around the county competed for a $50 prize and a chance to advance to the District level competition in Atlantic City, N.J., during the event held Sunday at the East County Community Center in Silver Spring. Contestants sang, played violin, saxophone, piano and bass guitar, displaying a variety of musical talent.   more »