It’s that time of year again; time for pumpkin spice lattes, warm sweaters and “To Kill a Mockingbird” American Idol. This is the eighth year English I teacher Michelle Kerpash’s students have performed a song based on “To Kill a Mockingbird”

“Celebrity judges, counselors, principals and other teachers come and listen. They give feedback to each group – serious and not – before picking a winner. They judge based on content, enthusiasm and musical talent,” Kerpash said.

Students can choose any song that they would like, as long as they can work facts of the book into the lyrics.

“[My group] chose ‘Confident’ by Demi Lovato,” freshman Meghan Stanfield said. “We are writing it about Mayella and the trial.”

In past years, students have chosen to do everything from rap to 80s rock ballads, which makes for an interesting time judging the songs.

“I love when kids take a popular song and totally change it. Some of the greatest hits include ‘Wrecking Ball,’ ‘Crank That Mockingbird,’ ‘Cooler Than You,’ ‘Hey Jem,’ ‘Royals,’ ‘All About That Bass,’ and so many more,” Kerpash said.

During the performances on Friday, Oct. 30 students brought instruments; freshman Justin Cupps played the ukulele, and the group that dubbed themselves the “Frigid Primates” had an electric guitar.

“My group thought it would be fun to have live music, so I came up with the idea of having a guitar and piano. We ultimately decided to go with the guitar, but it we still got the same really cool effect of looking like an actual band,” freshman Juliane Pautrot said.

The students do not only get a good grade if they do well, but the group that wins the competition in each class gets a special prize.

“The winner gets a stick-on mustache, a plastic flute and a sticker to let everyone know that they won. To be honest, those seem like the best prizes to me,” Pautrot said. “Of course, the prizes change every year, but this year’s prizes are pretty great.”

No one knows what the future may hold, but with the decrease in popularity of American Idol, Kerpash may be changing the competition.

“I am toying with the idea of switching to The Voice, but I haven’t thought it through yet,” Kerpash said.

This year’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” American Idol ended with the groups who won singing “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Here,” “Straight Outta Compton” and “Confident.”

“I would advise future generations not to be afraid of going all out and putting themselves out there,” freshman Tess Allgeyer said. “What really separates the good from the great performances is that the great ones do not care what others think of them and have fun doing it.”