Five contestants vying for title of county fair queen

Final practice sessions continued through Wednesday evening as five contestants prepared for tonight?s Presque Isle County Fair queen?s pageant at 7 at the county fairgrounds in Millersburg. The five contestants will seek the title held by Vanessa Paquin, the daughter of Thomas and Christina Paquin of Rogers City. Each contestant has been working on her talent presentation for Thursday?s event. Rehearsals ?have been going very well,? said pageant director Tricia Selke, winner of the 1992 Miss Millersburg pageant. The girls have been practicing since the first of August. The cost to enter the entertainment tent is $3, and doesn?t include the gate fee to enter the fairgrounds. The contestants include:

Heather Stalker, 15, the daughter of James and Marie Stalker of Millersburg, will be doing a skit/dance routine for her talent presentation. After graduation she plans to pursue a career in cosmetology and would like to be a mother.

Nikki Hayner, the 15-year-old daughter of Kathy and Bill LaLonde of Rogers City and John and Lisa Hayner of Gaylord, will be playing her flute to the Phantom of the Opera song, ?All I Ask of You.? She plans to attend college to pursue a degree in fashion or interior design.

Sasha Gapczynski, 15, is the daughter of Lee and Joan Gapczynski of Rogers City. For her presentation, she will perform a monologue titled, ?Beauty For Sale.? She plans to attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in the medical field.

KATHRYN GABARA, 16, will sing ?I Will Remember You? for her presentation. She is the daughter of Dan and Nancy Gabara of Rogers City. She plans to pursue a career in cosmetology after graduation.

AMBER ANDERSON, the 18-year-old daughter of Tony and Ann Brown of Onaway, will perform a dance routine to ?Gonna Make You Sweat.? In the future she would like to attend a business college to study business management.

THE CONTESTANTS will be judged in the areas of interview, coordination, talent, and evening gown.

The court will include queen, first, and second runners-up. The new queen and her court will reign over the county fair and represent the county at other events throughout the year. The pageant committee includes chairperson Betty Reush, Selke, and Colleen Whitsitt. Lindsey McConnell of Onaway choreographed the opening number. Jeff Whitsitt, along with a crew from Pine Lumber, built the stage. Selke was in charge of the pageant programs, while Teresa Splan, Rita Tollini, and Chris Hoffmeyer handled publicity and various other duties. Toni Wilson of Afton will be on audio and also singing a couple of country hits.

Robert Edwards will be the master of ceremonies. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kieliszewski will be the auditors. Trina Dittmar of Shear Harbor of Rogers City will provide hair styling, and Angela Benzer will provide make-up. Morgan Suszek of Rogers City and Ellie McClellan of Onaway will provide additional entertainment.