Could next American Idol be from the Valley?

Festiva found three locals who plan on driving all the way to Dallas to audition for next year's season of American Idol. Read about the two professionals below. Also check out:

• Live updates and photos from the audition (goes live Friday, June 26)
• The Rookie: Young, sexy singer is pumped up about her first Idol tryout 
• Chuckle heartily at the writer of this article's own attempt at getting on American Idol

Hayley Reinitz wrote herself a letter during senior year at McHi to remind her of what she wanted to do with her life.

"I wanted to be a teacher," she said. "Or a famous singer."

Tomorrow, a couple of nameless American Idol producers (not Randy, Simon, Paula or Kara, as many believe) will take about 25 seconds to decide whether to make that second goal of Hayley's happen or not.

As Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and the other newbie Idols travel the nation on their summer arena tour, Hayley will be heading across the state trying to follow in their footsteps.

Again.

It's been five years since Hayley's first attempt at landing a spot on the star-making TV show.

"I take rejection well, I guess," she said. "I was disappointed, but I wasn't devastated."

She had every right to be - she was, after all, a professional.

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The first time he auditioned, Oscar Rodriguez sang "It Ends Tonight" by the All-American Rejects.

For tomorrow's audition, he picked a song that doesn't bait irony quite as much - "Belief," by Gavin DeGraw.

"This one starts off kind of lower," the 22-year-old explains. "It's got a lot of emotional range."

He'll have plenty of time to practice on the nine-hour trip to Arlington's Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Or to reminisce about the good times with Hayley, who's traveling with him.

Until recently, the two were members of the Alley Kats, a staff of karaoke singers who performed nightly at Graham Central Station in Pharr. For years, the Alley Kats lived a nightly Idol fantasy, complete with glittery props, dance routines and behind-the-scenes drama.

That all ended suddenly late last year when the scandal-ridden nightclub was forced to close.

"One day to the next," Oscar remembers.

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"I went for the heck of it," Oscar said about his first Idol audition. "Now, I've had a lot more practice. My voice has progressed immensely since then."

Progress is Oscar's voice's middle name.

It started back when he first took a job at Graham working a sound board for the Alley Kats' small auditorium. One day he grew bold enough to step into the spotlight and audition for membership in the troupe.

While most of the official Alley Kats had been rocking the mic since time immemorial, this was a stretch for Oscar.

"They had been doing it most of their lives," he said. "(Singing) was something I stumbled upon."

He sang the Ataris' remake of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer."

They liked it. He was in.

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For her 2004 Idol audition, Hayley dressed "all Alley Kat" - a look that's naughtier than sexy but nicer than slutty, e.g. heels, tight things, generous makeup. Bad move, she thinks now.

She's observed since then how the show tends to cast "people that aren't so stage-like."

To some degree, it's true: Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood looked fresh from farm work when they were selected.

Thus, Hayley's going to keep it simple tomorrow: T-shirt and jeans.

"They're supposed to like you for who you are. I don't want to be misrepresented."

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Many Idol contestants find themselves on national TV without a clear idea of who they want to be as musical artists.

Oscar says he's been approached about forming a band once or twice, but karaoke's always been his thing. He performed at the Borderfest's Border-oke competition earlier this year.

Hayley names Xtina and Aretha as her idols, and although her takes on "Chain of Fools" and "Beautiful" have proven popular, Hayley is an anti-diva: sweet but streetwise, a mind of many tracks.

"I used to hate country. Now I love singing it."

Hayley has written some original songs but hasn't shown them to anyone.

"Who can you trust?" she asks.

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Hayley and Oscar were the last Alley Kats standing before Graham closed its doors.

"We walked up (to work) ... and there was a sign on the door," he said.

They're by no means the only ex-Kats still chasing the dream.

Some alumni, like award-winning McAllen actress Veronica Loren, seem destined for the big time.

Hayley texted her the other day but hadn't received a reply as of a week ago. Hayley understands.

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"I do love it very much," Oscar says about singing.

Lately, though, he's been focused on becoming a dental assistant. He's looking forward to the security, he said.

During his days as an Alley Kat, Oscar delivered at least one bona fide showstopper: an unforgettable rendition of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" embraced by both the crowd and his fellow Alley Kats, his friends, back when they were a family.

Will Idol give him another moment like this? Will he get the chance to find out?

"I really do hope so," he says.