The school day didn’t stop dozens of teenage girls (and some boys) from coming out for a brief chance to see teen star David Archuleta.

As he stepped on a small stage adorned with only keyboard and mic, columns/ of screaming girls and their digital cameras were happy to meet him. Shouts of “We love you David!” were sometimes met with

“We love you more!”

Archuleta, American Idol’s last season runner-up, brought about 400 people to the side of Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream in the PGA Commons at noon today. The 18-year-old took questions and sang two of his hits, “A Little Too Not Over You” and “Crush.”

Katelyn Wilson and Catherine Witte were front and center for the peformance. The 15-year-old Stoneman Douglas High School students arrived at the commons at 6:30 a.m. to see their favorite Idol up close.

“He’s adorable,” Catherine said. “His voice is really, really amazing, and he is kind of ridiculously cute.”
Archuleta, a Mormon, laughed when Catherine unfurled a sign that read “My best friend is Mormon,” with an arrow pointing toward Katelyn.

The fan questions hit all the bases – from the Idols he keeps in touch with (Jason Castro, Brooke White) to favorite movie (Finding Nemo).

Archuleta also spoke about his experience on American Idol. Though the one-liners during auditions say otherwise, judge Simon Cowell was the most helpful, he said.

“Simon is that kind of person that just motivates you to keep working hard,” he said. “It was really motivating whether it was positive or negative.”

Archuleta, who was born in Miami and now lives in Utah, told the group he was happy to be back in Florida at the end of the half-hour show.

“I know it’s a little chilly and windy but it beats Utah weather for sure,” he said.

His self-titled debut album came out in November of last year, and was certified gold on Jan. 29.

The event was sponsored by PGA Commons and 97.9 WRMF, and is part of Archuleta’s radio station promotional tour.

[album: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/preview/idol/]