GOLDSBORO, N.C. - An opera-singing sixth-grader from North Carolina was tabbed the winner Thursday of a national kids talent contest conducted by CBS' "The Early Show."
On her winning video, 11-year-old Madeline Edwards, of Goldsboro, sang "O Mio Babbino Caro," from an opera by Puccini.
Edwards, who won the three-month competition with 41 percent of the online votes cast, is scheduled to perform live on the CBS show on Tuesday.
She advanced to the final round against Katherine Fritsch, an 8-year-old from Raleigh, who sang the "Star-Spangled Banner," and a rock band from Oklahoma called Crooked X that performed an original tune.
Edwards, who aspires to become an opera singer, has been performing since she was 4.
Students in her classroom at Eastern Wayne Middle School erupted in cheers when her victory was announced Thursday morning.
"We're just thrilled," said her father, Michael Edwards.
