Middlesboro resident Ashley Nicole Evans has qualified to compete in the 2005 Coca Cola Talent Classic Semi-finals competition at the Kentucky State Fair.

Evans, a student at Middlesboro High School, will be competing as solo vocalist in the South Wing Conference Center at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21.

The Coca Cola Talent Classic is a competition for young performers ages 13-21. Preliminaries are held in nearly 40 counties across Kentucky and surrounding states.

The semi-finals include an array of talents, including singers, dancers, bands and instrumentalists who will compete for the title of Grand Award Winner.

The Grand Award Winner will receive a cash prize of $1,200, a trophy, poster size picture of their winning act on the Wall of Champions, which is displayed each year at the state fair.

All finalists will also have the opportunity to work with a professional performer and choreographer before the final competition.

The Coca Cola Talent Classic is a highly respected competition that has been a stepping stone for many young performers. Some finalists from past years include Whitney Boyles, who was crowned 2000 Miss Kentucky and was fourth runner up in the Miss America pageant; Maggie Lawson who appeared with Justin Timberlake in "Model Behavior" as well as in the Family Channel's recent movie "Love Rules"; and Nicole Scherzinger of Warner Brothers TV show "Popstars".

Evans is a member of the MHS volleyball team, and choir.