(KAIR)--Samuel Nolte has a lot to celebrate.

The Atchison native and current student of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa is the winner of the 2014 “Oh Say Can You Sing” competition, and will now have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Des Moines Symphony's Yankee Doodle Pops concert on July 3rd at the State Capitol.

Nolte says he is feeling wonderful after finding out the results, and could not be happier.

He says he had very high hopes for winning, and was very adamant about getting his friends to vote because it was very important to him. Not only that, but he says it was hard for him to be on top, because the person in second place is a news anchor in Des Moines, who would encourage viewers to vote for her during her morning show.

Nolte was encouraged by many people to try out for the contest, including his college Choir Director. He, along with nine others, sang the National Anthem in front of five judges last week. He was named one of three finalists soon after, and was asked to sing again, this time on camera. Each finalist's video was posted on the Des Moines Symphony's website for people to view and vote on. When the voting ended at noon Friday, Nolte was declared the winner in a very tight race.

Nolte says he would like to thank the entire city of Atchison for supporting him during the vote. He says there were people in Des Moines who were really helpful, but without the people of Atchison, this opportunity would not be possible for him. He especially wants to thank his parents, and all the people that came out to support him, because without them, he says there is no way he would have won.