Two students are passing up Whitman Idol for an opportunity to move to a bigger stage—America’s Got Talent.

Seniors Alex Papados and Alex Morris have both created audition tapes of them singing, in hopes of being accepted into the second round of auditions.

Morris, who has been in both Pyle and Whitman’s music programs, said he decided to try out for his fiancé and to sing in front of a larger audience. Morris says he aspires to sing in college, where he plans on ending his music career.

Papados decided to audition for America’s Got Talent after renowned Irish musician David Downes saw him perform at an Irish singing and dancing competition and suggested that he audition. Papados began his music career when he four and has been singing ever since.

“Its definitely a huge emotional outlet for me. The songs I write are always about how I feel,” Papados said.

His accomplishments include performing at the Kennedy Center and at bars and other small venues around the Bethesda area.

“I think that many people are scared to ever put themselves out there because they think they’re not good enough,” Papados said. “They shouldn’t think that because music is for everyone and they should just have fun with it.”

Morris and Papados will find out in the spring if they made it to the televised auditions.