'They’re Gonna Make a Big Star Out Of Me' ('With a Little Help From My Friends')

(Correction: Slocum graduated from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. It was inaccurately reported in this story.)

Phylicia Slocum is looking for friends -- lots of them -- to help her launch a career in broadcasting.

The 23-year-old East Haven woman is a finalist in the MyTV9 Star competition to become the spokesperson for WCTX, the local UHF TV affiliate sister station of Channel 8 WTNH.

MyTV9 is looking for one person to act as its on-air promotional personality for a year.

Slocum was among 174 people who auditioned for the coveted role on March 10 at the McDermott Auto Group in East Haven. She was picked as one of 29 semi-finalists and then as one of nine finalists.

Part of the next step is to get the most Facebook fans. "They want to see how well we social network and reach out to the community," Slocum said. "So far, I’m doing great."

Some 1,000 people have joined her Facebook fan page, putting her in second place.

The station will make its final choice on April 22 at a location it is keeping secret. Last year, it took place at Foxwoods.

Slocum is a graduate of East Haven High School, where she was on the Pom Pom dance team. As a junior majoring in communications at Albertus Magnus College, she did voiceover and promotional work at the KC101 radio station, occasionally playing an on-air role for the morning commute program, Total Access with Michael Maze. In her senior year at Albertus, she interned at WABC-TV in New York City, doing pre-production interviews for the Eyewitness News consumer segment.

After graduating from Albertus Magnus in 2009, Slocum returned to East Haven High to coach the Pom Pom squad. She recently graduated from the Columbia School of Broadcasting in Stratford.

If she is picked as the MyTV9 Star, Slocum said she would appear at all MyTV9 live, recorded or internet events, sales promotions and contests as the station’s spokesperson.

To help Slocum clinch the win, go to her Facebook fan page and click "like." Those without a Facebook page can vote at www.MyTV9Star.com.