2013 Grand Forks AFB AMC Icon 2nd Place Winner: A1C Andrew Hicks

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, presents Airman 1st Class Andrew Hicks with a congratulatory poster for $300 and a $75 Best Buy gift card for placing second at this year’s Air Mobility Command Icon base-level singing competition, which took place Aug. 16, 2013 at the Northern Lights Club on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Hicks performed his rendition of the soul music hit, "This is a Man's World" by James Brown. He was the top placing active-duty member and will compete for the AMC-wide title later this fall. To view more photos of this Year’s contest, visit http://www.forksupport.com/extras/IconPhotos.html. (U.S. Air Force photo/Julie McWalter)

Grand Forks Airman earns second chance for AMC Icon title

Published Aug. 22, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A Grand Forks Air Force Base Warrior of the North is scheduled to compete for the title of AMC Icon for the second year in a row.

Airman 1st Class Andrew Hicks, 319th Medical Operations Squadronan aerospace medical technician, earned the first-place award for a military member in the local Air Mobility Command Icon contest on Aug. 16, 2013, at the Northern Lights Club. He will now compete for the AMC-wide title.

Last year, Hicks finished second at Grand Forks, but was able to represent the base in the AMC-wide contest after the first-place finisher pulled out of contention due to a change of station.

Hicks isn't the only person smiling because of his repeat selection.

"My family and friends back home became very excited after I shared the news, but I think my wife [Jalincia Bryant], was the most ecstatic about the result," said 25-year-old Airman from Colorado Springs, Colo. "I give my lovely wife a lot of credit for winning because she picked the song."

Hicks performed a rendition of the soul music hit, "This is a Man's World" by James Brown.

The event is an AMC commander's initiative. It is loosely based around the hit TV show American Idol. Each of the 10 bases under Air Mobility Command have hosted competitions during July or August.

This year's AMC Icon final competition will be different from previous years. Judges will rate the local contest winners and select a winner based off of taped performances instead of having them travel and perform in front of a live audience.

Hicks remains very optimistic about his chances, although he didn't place during last year's final competition.

"I have a feeling that the competition will be a fun experience despite the changes and I know everyone will give it their all just as I plan on doing as well."