Washington State Nashville Country Star, a music competition that seeks out the best teenage country crooners, will host its Westside Quarterfinals competition at Bonney Lake High School March 9.

The competition was founded by Ed Lisenbey — an Okanogan School District paraeducator, musician and Elvis tribute performer — to give high school students the opportunity to perform in front of an audience for prizes. Participants play songs in the country, country gospel and ’50s/’60s rock and roll.

From 2009 onward, the first placing finalists have won $1,500. In 2010, the competition expanded from the Okanogan Valley to include the entirety of the state.

Maile Gagner, a Bonney Lake graduate and Central Washington University student, will co-host and perform at the quarterfinals competition. Gagner was the second-place finalist in 2012. You can watch her in the video above performing on the Feb. 15 edition of Good Morning Northwest to promote the contest.

The quarterfinals will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday March 9. Admission is $8 for individuals and $25 for families of four or more. Bonney Lake High School is located at 10920 199th Ave. Ct. E.