Annika Kraakman is off to boot camp tomorrow.

The 16-year-old Deroche teen had auditioned for Variety's Got Talent and out of more than 500 submissions from around the province, she was picked as one of the final nine (the 10th spot will be determined by people's choice voting).

Annika started singing as a little girl, mainly entertaining at family functions. She's been in school musicals, including the lead role in Hatzic Secondary's upcoming show, Fame, and sings with the band Topez at coffee shops in Abbotsford and Mission.

"It's slowing sinking in for her now," said her dad Walter, who adds her first love is country music, but she also sings jazzy blues.

As a finalist, the Grade 10 student will spend Feb. 8 in Vancouver, where contestants will work with mentors for the day, before competing at the River Rock in Richmond on Feb. 9.

The judges for the competition are Bruce Allen (manager for Michael Bublé), Shannon Tweed Simmons, One More Girl singing duo Carly and Britt McKillip and Steve Darling (Global).

The winner receives a Rising Star package and appears on Global's Variety Show of Hearts telethon on Feb. 16.

JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com