New Miss Posen to be crowned at Friday’s pageant
Final preparations are in the works as the nine contestants for Miss Posen get set for the pageant. Final dress rehearsal is tonight (Thursday) for Friday’s pageant. Friday’s event starts at 7:30 p.m. at Posen High School. The pageant precedes the 63rd annual Posen Potato Festival set for Sept. 5-7.
The new queen will take over for 2013 Miss Posen Kendall Hirschman, a 2014 graduate of Posen High School She was co-valedictorian of her class and was named student of the year. Kendall is the daughter of James and Ann Hirschman. While in high school she was a member of National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions and the high school yearbook staff, as well as trip and pep clubs. She was involved in basketball and volleyball.
Hirschman won the title of 2013 Miss Posen in last year’s pageant. She earned talent/coordination/fitness, as well as the poise and appearance awards. She plans on attending Saginaw Valley State University to study social work.
In addition to her membership in numerous school related groups, clubs, and organizations, she continues her role in the Young Champions Cheer program both as a member and as a coach, and continues to mentor young girls in and around the Presque Isle, Alpena, Cheboygan, and Gaylord areas. Along with her many personal accomplishments, she and her court have done a wonderful job representing the community of Posen. They have volunteered at many events such as the Spud Run 5K Run/Walk, Zapusty Dinner/Dance, Calcite Credit Union Benefit and Fall Harvest, and have also participated in the Memorial Day Mackinac Bridge Walk, and of course all of the events associated with the Potato Festival, and local parades/community functions.
Julia Lewandowski and Julie Nielsen are choreographing the opening number for this year’s pageant while Randy Idalski returns to the role as master of ceremonies. Judging will be done by Ann Lange, Neil Seabase and Kendra Truman
The contestants are Erica Ataman, Amy Buczkowski, Brandi Chojnacki, Taylor Chojnacki, Paige Ciarkowski, Mercedes Kowalski, Elizabeth Mulka, Lauren Romel and Shianne Smolinski. Each contestant will be evaluated in individual interviews that are held the day of pageant. During the pageant itself, they will be judged in the areas of coordination and fitness, poise and appearance (evening gown), and talent.
This year’s Potato Festival features great activities and entertaining bands. Friday’s bands will be Polka Riot of Frankenmuth and Chad Przybylski & the Polka Rhythms of Pulaski, Wisconsin.
In the country pavilion, the featured band is Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son from Nashville, Tennessee. “Pan” Franek and Zosia will appear at the Polka Mass at St. Casimir Catholic Church for the 10 a.m. Mass and then perform in the polka pavilion later in the day. The Natural Tones will also be at the polka pavilion on Sunday.
