Five girls will compete for scholarships and the crown of Miss Crookston on Friday, August 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Crookston High School Auditorium.
The five contestants are Emilee Tate, Julia Lallier, Macy Fee, Hannah Brouse, and Mackenzie Aamoth, who all have been working hard to prepare for the pageant to see which one of them will leave with the title and the many prizes that come with it. “We have amazing girls this year; they have just been a joy to get to know and so much fun to be around,” said Pageant Director Jean Ann Bienek.
The pageant will consist of three categories for the contestants to compete in: interview, where the contestants will answer questions about themselves and what they do outside of school. Evening gown, where the contestants will show themselves in their best dress, and talent, where the contestants will show off their unique talents to the audience. Along with those categories, the contestants will perform two group dance numbers at the opening and closing of the pageant.
But the pageant is more than just a popularity contest, as the girls have a chance to win a scholarship in each category they’re competing in. “We have scholarships that are offered for the winner of personal interview, the talent winner, the evening gown winner, and onstage presence. The American Legion Auxiliary offers a Freedom Award, which is a scholarship that the girls can do, which is an essay,” Bienek explained. “The American Legion will provide them with an essay, and then the girls, if they want to, submit their essays for the scholarship.” The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship, their portrait done by Lacia Hanson, an entrance fee to the Miss Minnesota pageant if they wish to go to the Miss Minnesota sanction pageant, and a $1,000 University of Minnesota Scholarship, along with the crown. The first runner-up will receive a $600 cash scholarship and a $750 UMC Scholarship, with the second runner-up receiving a $400 cash scholarship and a $500 UMC Scholarship. Although every contestant will receive some great gifts just for participating in the pageant. “All candidates will receive flowers, a memory mate, a cash award for non-award winners, we give them a gift, a T-shirt, and Lynnea from Red River Massage is offering massages for the girls so they can relax, and we offer Miss Congeniality scholarships as well,” Bienek explained.
Tickets for the pageant will go on sale on Wednesday, August 17, between 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Crookston High School while they’re practicing in the auditorium from any of the Miss Crookston Committee Members for $10 a ticket. The members include Judy Meyer, Lindsay Erdman, Adrianne Winger, and Director Jean Ann Bienek. They can also get them by emailing Director Bienek or can be purchased at the door on Friday night. All of the funds from the ticket sales will go towards the girls and the scholarships given out.
The Miss Crookston contestants will be on KROX’s Valley Talk on Tuesday, August 16, at 10:40 a.m. to tell us more about what they’ll be bringing to the pageant on Friday.
The Miss Crookston contestants, their parents, sponsors, and talents can be seen below-
| Contestant | Parents | Sponsor | Talent |
| Emilee Tate | Bill & Renee Tate | Biermeier Chiropractic Clinic | hula-hoop dancing |
| Julia Lallier | Jennifer & Derek Bruggeman | GT Tree Service & Lawn Care | Monologue |
| Macy Fee | Chris & Tiffany Fee | KROX Radio | Ukulele & Singing |
| Hannah Brouse | Caille Darco & Andrew Brouse | Northern Lumber | Demonstration |
| Mackenzie Aamoth | Cassie & Luke Rudie | Edward Jones | Misunderstood Lyrics |
Pictures of the five contestants can be seen below-
