Hickory – Carol Anne Hartman is a natural star. She started singing as a child in her Dad’s church and hasn’t stopped yet. Along the way, she’s garnered numerous awards, including finishing as the First Place winner of the very first Rotarian Idol back in 2010. Now, she’s back to compete in All Stars Rotarian Idol.

“In addition to just loving to sing, it [Idol] gives me an opportunity to be part of giving back to the community,” says Hartman. “The local Rotary clubs do such a great job of raising money that stays in our community. I love that this contest gives me an opportunity to help with that.”

Hartman, a native of Reidsville, was only 2 years old when her family moved to the Catawba Valley where she has been for thirty-eight years now. Her father was a minister and worked at a church in Hildebran for twenty-three years. She sang in that church as a child and youth, but she really didn’t start taking it seriously until her teen years. It would be another 10 years until she really learned to develop her own “pop sound”.

“I’m a ‘90’s chic so my biggest musical influences when I was finding my voice were also ‘90’s chics, including Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette,” notes Hartman.

Today, Hartman is Sales and Marketing Manager for National Training Center. She is married to Jeffrey Hartman and they have three children; Timothy, who is 17, Coble, who is 14 and Kellen, who is 14. She is part of the Kairos Contemporary Worship Team at Hickory’s First Presbyterian Church and a member of Professional Photographers of America. In addition to those roles, Hartman is also a professional photographer and videographer and has appeared in two films.

Many know Hartman as a frequent actress in theater productions, including Roxie in Chicago at the Hickory Community Theatre and the title role in Mary Poppins at The Green Room in Newton. She has been awarded three Kay Awards from Hickory Community Theater and an Outstanding Lead Actress Award from the Metrolina Theatre Association her role as Roxie in Chicago.

Of course, because, you see, winning is what stars do.

The Tenth Anniversary All Stars Rotarian Idol is set for Friday May 17 at 7:00 PM at PE Monroe Auditorium. Ten winners from the past years will compete for cash prizes. Rotarian Idol is the signature fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Hickory. It gives the community, through the Rotary Club, the ability to impact the lives of people here and across the globe. Funds raised go to support local educational programs such as the Imagination Library, college scholarships and Teacher of the Year awards, as well as humanitarian and educational projects around the world.

For further information, visit https://rotarianidol.com or call 828-358-1408.

PHOTO: Carol Anne Hartman, winner of first ever Rotarian Idol, returns to compete in All Stars Rotarian Idol Friday May 17.