Anderson alum to compete in live talent show

U.S. Air Force

JAMIE HORNER-JARMAN

Anderson alumna Jamie Horner-Jarman, 22, has advanced to the semifinal rounds of competition in song with Operation Rising Star, the military’s version of “American Idol,” with a top prize of an all-expense paid studio recording session in Los Angeles.

“I can’t believe that this is happening,” Jarman said. “I want to win the grand prize of working with professional music producers and record three original songs for my demo CD. It would be a dream come true.”

Jarman was part of the 2005 graduating class at Anderson Union High School where she was involved in cross country, track and choir. She later earned her Associate in Art’s degree from American River College in Sacramento and joined the U.S. Air Force in March 2009.

“Joining the Air Force has been the best experience of my life. It gave me a sense of pride about myself, my country and my family,” Jarman said.

Jarman is an emergency manager in the Air Force. She prepares, reviews and provides installation contingency plans, helps maintain air base operations and handles hazardous materials, emergency response and disaster preparedness programs at Joint Base Andrews, home to Air Force One.

After completing eight strenuous weeks of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Jarman shipped to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., for more specialized technical training.“I saw posters about the singing competition on base when I arrived and I thought that my training schedule would make it too difficult for me to balance course work and practice time to sing,” Jarman said.

Jarman was able to find a balance with her limited time and decided to enter the competition. After 12-hour training days, Jarman would rush to her dorm to get ready for the weekly competition.

“I was so tired that I never really knew how I would sound. I would just try to sing with passion so that the audience understands that I love to sing. I kept making it to the next week,” Jarman said. Jarman’s powerful voice led her to win the entire competition on her base with a $500 grand prize and a chance to advance to the semifinal round.

“I felt like it was an out-of-body experience. I was so excited. A Major General shook my hand and told me he voted for me. It was very flattering to hear that people were voting for me,” said Jarman.

Jarman’s parents, Richard and Laura Horner, have lived in Anderson for 15 years. Richard Horner is well known for contributing his voice at local sporting events, either by announcing the play-by-play action or by singing the national anthem. Laura Horner manages the satellite horse race wagering facility at the Shasta District Fair grounds and has served as a substitute teacher at local schools.

Jarman’s older brother, Matt Horner, 25, is an engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He currently lives in Long Island, N.Y., while working on a special assignment.

Jarman credits her father for influencing her passion to sing and says that he is the inspiration for her singing style.

“My dad loves to sing and I see how happy it makes him. He always brings life to a party and uses music to bring people together. He created an environment that let me grow as an artist,” Jarman said.

Jarman’s mom has always been supportive of her as well, Jarman said. Laura Horner drove her daughter to Kids Unlimited rehearsals five days a week, paid for singing lessons and took Jamie to American Idol competitions in Las Vegas in hopes that her daughter would live out her dream.

“I support her because I think she has a beautiful voice and she is very talented,” said Laura Horner.

Videos posted on YouTube of Jarman singing the group Shinedown’s version of “Simple Man” and Sugarland’s hit tune “Stay” show that Jarman has the voice and talent of a rising star.

Jarman’s many fans in Shasta County can follow the competition live at 5 p.m. PST on Nov. 15, 17, 19 and 21 by logging on to www.pentagonchannel.mil/ and navigating to Operation Rising Star.

Winners of each round will advance based on a weighted score that takes 50 percent of the votes from the web-viewing and/or broadcast audience and 50 percent of the combined scores from three judges.

Audience members both online and in-person will be able to cast their vote by logging onto www.OpRisingStar.com.Voting is open for two hours after each show. Readers should also check the Valley Post Web site at www.andersonvalleypost.com for updates on the competition.