PORTLAND – Kirsten Russell, a junior at Greely High School, has won the title of Best Young Solo Artist in Maine in Reindeer Record’s first RO4UNO competition. A petite 16-year-old singer-songwriter, she also won a mobile recording package and $250 cash.

Russell was one of six finalists competing recently at McAuley Performing Arts Center.

Her defining moment came during her fourth and final song, “I Wish I Could Tell You,” a song written about a close friend of hers who was killed in a car accident. “Kirsten’s last song was one of the most emotionally driven performances I have ever seen,” said assistant producer Hudson Eakin. “Everywhere I looked audience members were crying. She brought a room of almost 200 people to tears.”

The other finalists were Casey Benner, Greely; Alyra Donisvitch, home-schooled; Kristyn Murphy, John Baptist Memorial High School; Kirsten Russell, Greely; and Michael Weber, Edward Little High School. Hannah Rodrigue, Lewiston High School, also competed as MaineToday.com’s Wildcard Entry.