March 27, 2008
Five to vie for Ritzville Junior Miss title
An evening of elegance and style is in store for all who attend the 2008 Ritzville Junior Miss Program on Friday, March 28, at the Gilson Gym starting at 7 p.m.
Black ties and red carpet top off this year’s theme, Those Were The Days, with a ‘20s and ‘30s flair featuring period attire such as the flapper dress.
Gordon Killian will serve as the master of ceremonies, and Ian Fitch and Jamie Main are this year’s escorts. Sophomore Sisters are Andrea Cox, Renae Harder, Rachael McCrady, Kelsey Arlt and Briana White.
Sponsored by the Ritzville Festivals Association, the 2008 Ritzville Junior Miss Program is chaired by Janet Manke and Hollie Banner.
Five Ritzville High School juniors will take center stage for the opening number featuring the 2007 Ritzville Junior Miss Representatives, 2008 contestants, Sophomore Sisters and escorts.
Megan Heimbigner choreographed the opening number as well as the self-expression portion of the program, and is in charge of the technical aspect of the production. Kristin Kramer continues in her role as royalty coordinator as well as joining Kim Schofstoll in the dressing room.
Courtney Earl, 2007 Moses Lake Junior Miss, will provide entertainment before the 2007 Ritzville court will appear for the final time. Melanie Gering will accompany Butch Gering as he sings the Junior Miss Song.
Dwight Bowen and the Ritzville Festivals Association are in charge of decorations and publicity. Larry Ahern heads up sound and music production while Larry Swift, Chris Johnson and John Marshall will handle lights and video.
Academic information for each contestant was sealed and sent to the Warden School District for judging prior to the event, and the judges’ panel includes individuals from Pullman, Royal City and Moses Lake.
Lisa Killian and Stacey Schoessler are in charge of the judges, and Schoessler will handle the mock interviews while Killian is charged with the judges’ interview and dinner. Tabulator is Kris Harder, CPA.
Contestants are judged in five distinct divisions: Interviews (25 percent), Talent (25 percent), Scholastics (20 percent), Fitness (15 percent) and Self-expression (15 percent). Interviews and scholastics are completed before the program begins.
Bill and Dorothy Eckhardt will host the judges’ interview Friday afternoon. Contestants are shuffled back and forth to the interviews while the chairpersons keep those interviewed separate from the others until the process is finished.
Name: Jillian Ross Pflugrath
Age: 17
Parent/guardian: Dwight and Mary Pflugrath
School activities: Football and basketball cheerleader, track and field, ASB assistant treasurer, Honor Society, FFA, Pep Club
Favorite subject: English
Hobbies: Dancing, reading, snowboarding, sleeping
Favorite musician: Taylor Swift
Favorite actor/actress: Alexis Bledel
Favorite author/book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Most admired person: Family friend, Nancy Glessner, because she is very strong in her faith, very well read, knows how to have fun and has lived and traveled all over the world.
One thing you’d like to accomplish in your life: To acquire a job where I can encourage teenage girls and become a role model to them.
College choice, career goals: Whitworth University to major in speech communications and go into youth ministry.
Community involvement: Vacation Bible School leader, visiting Life Care Center of Ritzville and Rose Garden Estates, volunteering at the Ritzville Food Pantry, youth group worship leader.
Talent for the program: A pointe dance with a mix of ballet and lyrical moves to the song, “How You Live,” by Point of Grace, which encourages us to live life to the fullest.
Personality of today: Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Personality of the past: Joan of Arc
What do you enjoy about life in Ritzville: In our small school, teachers are able to give much more individual help and our community is so supportive and has always encouraged me in all the activities I do.
Why did you choose to participate in the Junior Miss Program: I wanted to be a part of such a fun program that I’ve admired since I was little. I also like that I could get the chance to represent my community.
Name: Kelsey Dawn Kommes
Age: 17
Parent/guardian: Dave and Sue Kommes
School activities: FBLA, Pep Club, Pep Band, basketball, Knowledge Bowl, volleyball statistician
Favorite subject: Family and Consumer Science Education
Hobbies: Sports, reading
Favorite musician: Sean Kingston
Favorite actor/actress: Amanda Bynes
Favorite author/book: The Clique series
Most admired person: My mom because I have always looked up to her and she is a good role model.
One thing you’d like to accomplish in your life: To further my education by completing college.
College choice, career goals: I am undecided about what career I want to pursue at this time.
Community involvement: I have volunteered at Life Care Center of Ritzville and Rose Garden Estates. I also wrapped presents for the Giving Tree during Christmas.
Talent for the program: I will be doing a dance to the song Canned Heat by Jamiroquai from the movie Center Stage.
Personality of today: Anne Hathaway
Personality of the past: Grace Kelly
What do you enjoy about life in Ritzville: It’s a small town and most people know everyone. There are also not a lot of gangs and violence.
Why did you choose to participate in the Junior Miss Program: I chose to participate in the Junior Miss Program because I knew it would be a fun opportunity and I would like to represent Ritzville in the upcoming year.
Name: Michelle Leigh Slate
Age: 17
Parent/guardian: Randall and Barbara Franz, Michael Slate
School activities: Red R, Academic Letter Club secretary, Pep Club treasurer, FBLA treasurer, National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, track, Pep Band, Honor Band-principal clarinet, band, FFA-Star Greenhand, Grand Champion market swine, Reserve Grand Champion fitting and showing, Adams County Livestock Judging champion
Favorite subject: Pre-calculus
Hobbies: Reading, sports, geocaching
Favorite musician: Toby Mac
Favorite actor/actress: Jodie Foster
Favorite author/book: A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
Most admired person: Amber Slate, my sister, because she has been an inspiration to me. She is caring, confident, intelligent and is passionate about her faith. She has always been there for me.
One thing you’d like to accomplish in your life: I would like to complete college and then earn a post-graduate degree in applied mathematics.
College choice, career goals: I am considering several small private colleges and plan to be a college professor of applied mathematics.
Community involvement: 4-H, Conspiracy of Hope (service project), Menno Mennonite Church member, Mennonite Country Auction volunteer, planned and conducted Christmas in July (Ritzville Food Pantry fund-raiser)
Talent for the program: I will be playing a classical piano piece entitled Solfeggietto by C.P.E. Bach.
Personality of today: Susie Shellenberger
Personality of the past: Albert Einstein
What do you enjoy about life in Ritzville: My favorite part of life in Ritzville is the support and encouragement from community members. They are always there to cheer us on to a victory or support us at a local fund-raiser.
Why did you choose to participate in the Junior Miss Program: I chose to participate in the Junior Miss Program for the fun and personal growth experience. I have watched previous contestants build skills and confidence. I wanted to have that kind of experience for myself.
Name: Stacey Sue Dewald
Age: 16
Parent/guardian: Rob and Susan Dewald
School activities: Pep Club, FFA, publications, volleyball, cheerleading, softball, Red R
Favorite subject: History
Hobbies: Dancing and spending time with my friends and family
Favorite musician: Led Zepplin
Favorite actor/actress: Jennifer Garner
Favorite author/book: The Doll People
Most admired person: Kris Schwisow because she is a great teacher, and helped mold me into the person I am today.
One thing you’d like to accomplish in your life: I would like to have a stable family and career in my life.
College choice, career goals: I would like to go to college and study hospitality management.
Community involvement: I have planted trees at the fairgrounds, I painted doors for an elderly woman, I helped with Relay For Life and I have worked at the FFA burger booth.
Talent for the program: A fun, upbeat pointe dance to Romanian music.
Personality of today: Nancy Weber
Personality of the past: Annie Oakley
What do you enjoy about life in Ritzville: I enjoy the fact that I can walk down the street and know who everyone is. I enjoy the historical aspects, and that it is small but busy.
Why did you choose to participate in the Junior Miss Program: I chose to participate in Junior Miss because I am a good role model, I could represent Ritzville well and I have always wanted to go through the program.
Name: Amanda Nicole Main
Age: 16
Parent/guardian: Rod and Becky Main
School activities: Cheerleading, Red R, Pep Club, SADD treasurer, FFA-State Band, livestock judging, marketing, rituals and first year member freshman year, FFA reporter, tennis, Honor Band, Pep Band, publications, band, basketball
Favorite subject: Chemistry
Hobbies: Playing the flute, anything to do with music, scrapbooking
Favorite musician: Chris Daughtry
Favorite actor/actress: Drew Barrymore
Favorite author/book: Night by Elie Wiesel
Most admired person: Great-grandma Betty Hill because she was an independent woman even when she was fighting breast cancer.
One thing you’d like to accomplish in your life: To become a veterinarian.
College choice, career goals: Washington State University to become a veterinarian.
Community involvement: Numerous food drives, food bank, Christmas Dinner baskets, FFA litter cleanups, Rake and Runs, Wheat Land Communities’ princess, church activities, Vacation Bible School, Conspiracy of Hope.
Talent for the program: Playing Anchors Aweigh on the flute.
Personality of today: Mandy Moore
Personality of the past: Amelia Earhart
What do you enjoy about life in Ritzville: I love living in a small town where you know everyone. People help one another, and people know you and your background for references or for having a better chance at getting college scholarships.
Why did you choose to participate in the Junior Miss Program: Junior Miss is a way to bond with other girls and to meet new lifelong friends. It also allows you to express yourself. It teaches leadership and confidence for the future while adding a little poise.