Glendale, the site of Friday's auditions for American Idol, produced '07 Idol winner turned Billboard Top 10 recording artist Jordin Sparks.

She recently offered some advice to those hoping to make it in front of show judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

Keep in mind that Sparks herself had to try out twice, first in Los Angeles and again in Seattle, before finally making it to the second round.

Question: What advice do you give to Valley residents trying out for Idol?

Answer: I would tell them to be themselves, look at the judges and stand out. Wear something that is memorable without looking crazy.

Q: What are some good ways to stand out? How did you try to make yourself stand out at your auditions?

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American Idol and pop star Jordin Sparks sings, “Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air,” in her recent love duet with Chris Brown. Now, she’s asking how teens are supposed to do school work with no supplies.

Sparks recently joined with the Web site DoSomething.org and Staples Inc. to resolve this problem with a national back-to-school supply drive.

“I’m very excited to be involved with the Do Something 101 campaign and to help motivate teens to get involved,” Sparks said. “There are so many kids in America who need school supplies and don’t have them, and all somebody has to do is donate. It’s so easy.”

The Do Something 101 campaign, running through Aug. 31, encourages teens to collect school supplies and drop them off at their nearest Staples stores.

Locally, school supplies will be given to the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama, an educational and not-for-profit organization that serves disadvantaged youth.

Staples kick-started the campaign by donating $50,000 in school supplies to the national cause. In addition, Staples customers can also get involved by donating $2 at any Staples store and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to local teens in need.

Staples will also hold Teacher Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at its store in Athens.

“A tough economy and tighter budgets mean teachers are spending more of their own money to keep their classrooms stocked,” said Shira Goodman, executive vice-president of marketing for Staples. “Teacher Appreciation Day is our way of letting teachers know how much they are valued and to make it easy for them to have the supplies they need to do their job. Last year, more than 280,000 teachers came to Staples stores nationwide to receive Teacher Appreciation Day gift bags, and we hope to help even more teachers in 2008.”

The first 200 teachers visiting Staples stores on July 26 will receive raffle prizes and a chance to win a 512MB Flash Drive giveaway. Teachers may also sign up for Staples teacher rewards, another way to help teachers who spend their own money on school supplies.

DoSomething.org bills itself as “a community where young people learn to listen, speak, vote, volunteer, ask and take action to make the world a better place.”

Its mission is “to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers; people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done and then take action.”

BallerStatus.com: What's one thing you admire about Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks?

Ne-Yo: Jordin Sparks is a beautiful person. Her voice is incredible. I like that she's still very raw with it. She's still new. She definitely still has a lot to learn, but if she keeps it up the way she's doing, I'm sure she'll be fine. I hope [coming into this] business doesn't turn her into something than what she is because right now she's a beautiful person. She's humble [and] I pray that she keeps that.

Arizona's "American Idol," Jordin Sparks is trading the concert stage for the campfire this summer.

Starting Tuesday, Sparks will be attending a summer camp.

"It's called Kanakuk, it's in Colorado and I go for about two weeks," said Jordin, who grew up in Glendale.

Kanakuk is a Christian athletic camp, and Sparks has been going for years.

"I'm really excited because it's my last year because I'm 18. It goes up to 18 years old. It will be cool to see all my friends that go to camp every year and see everybody."

Sparks also is looking forward to taking a break from being famous.

"You're not allowed to have computers or cellphones, so it will probably be really, like, detoxifying for me."

Sparks kicks of a summer tour in August.