NATCHEZ &045;&045; The highest point getter at Natchez Idol says she’s going all the way.

Kimberly Washington’s rendition of Whitney Houston’s &uot;I Have Nothing,&uot; earned her 98.7 points at the first-ever competition.

&uot;I’m really overjoyed,&uot; Washington, 20, said. &uot;Everything I do I do for my dad and my family. I have faith.&uot;

Washington’s No. 1 rank will earn her an automatic bid to the June 25 finale at Main Street Marketplace.

The other 25 winners of Friday night’s competition will compete this week on 95 Country. Five performances will be aired throughout the day and again at 5 p.m. Phone lines will open at 5:15 p.m. for voters to call in for their favorite. Two winners will be chosen each day, forming a Top 10. The Top 10 will join Washington on June 25. They will then be narrowed to three by the judges and the winner will be voted on by the audience.

Nason Stephens, 16, said he was excited about his Top 26 finish. &uot;I just heard about it this afternoon and decided to come on out,&uot; he said. &uot;She (Washington) is really talented and is going to be tough to beat. I’m just happy to be here.&uot;

Jimmie Jo Little, 20, of Lake St. John, also made the Top 26.

&uot;I did pretty well, I missed a couple of notes,&uot; she said. &uot;I used to sing a lot and I’m mainly doing it to prove I can do it again.&uot;

More than 50 contestants turned out for Friday’s open casting call. Performers were from both sides of the river and as far away as Brookhaven.

Five judges rated the performers, who sang before a standing room only crowd at Main Street Marketplace.

&uot;There is so much talent in our small town and surrounding area,&uot; said judge Tony Fields, the choral director for Alcorn State University. &uot;I truly believe the next American Idol was on that stage today.&uot;

The judges encouraged those who didn’t make the Top 26 to continue to work on their talent.

&uot;It takes an awful lot to get on stage and do what they did,&uot; said judge Mark Porter, afternoon drive personality and host on 95 Country. &uot;There was not one person that was bad.&uot;

The Natchez Idol competition is officially sanctioned by &uot;American Idol.&uot; The winner of Natchez Idol will receive free hotel accommodations and transportation to the &uot;American Idol&uot; auditions to be held in New Orleans later this year.