12:16 PM EST on Monday, February 21, 2005

By NBC

NBC

Sarah Mather

Providence High School graduate Sarah Mather is among the top 24 finalists on ‘American Idol’ and the teen seems to be headed for stardom.

The cosmetologist now calls Wilmington home. Nineteen television stations from around the country were in Los Angeles to talk to their hometown contestants.

"It's such a great feeling,” Mather told the NBC affiliate in Wilmington. “I've been performing for a long time, singing my whole life. It's just a dream."

In a media frenzy, the 12 boys and 12 girls rushed from reporter to reporter, camera to camera, answering questions about their hopes and dreams.

"It's so amazing to be here with everybody. There's so much talent. I'm just ready to get started," said Mather.

Executive producers Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe also met with the press, citing this year's talent as some of the best.

"You see them once or twice in the initial audition process, and you think they're alright. They're ok. But when they actually get on the stage, a couple of them just blew us away. They were great, absolutely great," Warwick said.

Now it's up to America to decide who will stay in the "American Idol" competition and who will go.

The 12 boys will compete live for the first time Monday night. Tuesday night is the girls’ turn. Then on Wednesday night viewers will learn which four contestants are voted off and which 20 get to stay.