An iconic moment, if not first place

After competing for the title of O.C. Icon, 12-year-old Cole Fletcher didn’t win the top prize — but the experience did make the top five moments of his life, as he predicted.

Cole was one of 30 finalists to perform Saturday at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center.

“I didn’t win the trophy, but I won, as in, I had such a great experience,” Cole said.

O.C. Icon is a singing competition for Orange County kids aged 7 to 18 years old. The contest is put on by WBZB Entertainment to give kids a unique performing opportunity, said Bruce Sampson, WBZB Entertainment president and producer of O.C. Icon.

Corona’s Felicity Hayama, 10, 14-year-old Olen Kittelsen of Irvine and Newport Beach’s 17-year-old Marna Rough won the title of O.C. Icon for their age groups.

Cole received “fabulous” comments from the four judges, mom Lucia Fletcher said.

“It was the best experience he ever had,” she said. “It was like they were all winners.”

He was also one of the few finalists to be chosen to perform for O.C. Icon from 1 to 3 p.m Saturday at South Coast Plaza, he said.

Cole said he plans on entering the contest next year — he just hopes his voice won’t be changing then.

— Britney Barnes