On Wednesday, a teenager from Fishersville was trying to get to the final rounds of American Idol. That night, the show announced that Colton Berry had made it as one of the top 24 contestants.

The 18-year-old Fishersville resident and Wilson High School senior says he's been singing in a choir since he was five. Teachers say he deserves the success so far because of his work ethic.

Middle School Vice Principle Michael Conner has worked with Colton for years in singing and drama. He says the Berry's talent has always surprised him.

"It must have been his 6th grade year, I came out of the office one day and heard him singing out in the cafeteria, and it certainly wasn't the voice of a 6th grader. I went to check it out and that's who it was," says Conner.

American Idol is broadcast on MyValley's Fox Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Colton's success in the next rounds is up to viewers. Voting will start after the next show to determine which contestants go to the next level.