NORTH WEBSTER - Fifteen young women will be seeking the title of Queen of the Lakes this year during the 78th Mermaid Festival in North Webster.
Sponsored by the North Webster Lions Club, the pageant is open to women ages 15 to 23. The pageant will take place June 22 at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.
This year’s contestants are:
• Gwendolyn Frank, 17, North Webster, competing as Miss Center Lake. Her sponsor is Clayton’s Garden Center. She is the daughter of Chris and Rhonda Frank and recently finished her junior year at Wawasee High School.
• Kendell Jaress, 17, Syracuse, competing as Miss Syracuse Lake. Her sponsor is Jaress Family Dentistry. The daughter of Aaron and Amber Jaress, she has completed her junior year at Wawasee High School.
• Brianna Lackey, 17, Churubusco, is competing as Miss Ridinger Lake. Her sponsor is Jellystone Camp Ground. The daughter of Wendy Moore and Matt Lackey, she has completed her senior year at Central Noble High School.
• Rachel Studebaker, 17, Syracuse, is competing as Miss Lake Wawasee. Her sponsor is Studebaker Family National Association. The daughter of Robert and Laura Studebaker, she recently completed her 11th year at Wawasee High School.
• Lillian Kelsey, 20, Warsaw, is competing as Miss Barbee Lake. Her sponsor is Chris Francis, Tippecanoe Township trustee. The daughter of Paula and Chris Kelsey, she is a student at Grace College.
• Madison Nunez, 16, North Webster, is competing as Miss Chapman Lake. Her sponsor is Ace Hardware. The daughter of Tana Churchill, she is a student at Warsaw Community High School.
• Jaclynn Worrell, 18, Syracuse, is competing as Miss Papakeechie Lake. Her sponsor is Mike Kissinger Surveying. The daughter of Jason and Emily Worrell, she has completed her 12th year at Wawasee High School.
• Daihya Chupp, 16, Warsaw, is competing as Miss Winona Lake. Her sponsor is Brian Peterson Real Estate. The daughter of Keri and Jeremy Fox, she has completed her junior year at Warsaw Community High School.
• Ava Couture, 17, Leesburg, is competing as Miss Dewart Lake. Her sponsor is Jaress Family Dentistry. The daughter of Jamie Couture, she recently completed her 11th year at Wawasee High School.
• Jordyn Leininger, 19, Pierceton, is competing as Miss Beaver Dam Lake. Her sponsor is Slack Shots Photography & Design. The daughter of Thad and Rochelle Leininger, she has completed her freshman year at Butler University.
• Abigayle Conner, 16, North Webster, is competing as Miss Tippecanoe Lake. Her sponsor is Maverick Promotions Inc. The daughter of Thomas and Cindy Conner, she recently finished her junior year at Wawasee High School.
• Chloe Bollinger, 18, South Whitley, is competing as Miss Kuhn Lake. Her sponsor is Pierceton Masonic Lodge #377. The daughter of Rick and Melissa Bollinger, she recently finished her freshman year at Western Governors University.
• Kendall Hepler, 20, Warsaw, is competing as Miss Yellow Creek Lake. Her sponsor is Tecomet. The daughter of Brandon and Kelli Hepler, she is a sophomore at Indiana Wesleyan.
• Anna Shock, 17, North Webster, is competing as Miss Shock Lake. Her sponsor is Metcalf, Payne & Bell. The daughter of Mike and Kelly Shock, she recently completed her junior year at Wawasee High School.
• Zaylee Guy, 17, North Webster, is competing as Miss Webster Lake. Her sponsor is Ski Bees. The daughter of Ben and Elise Guy, she recently completed her junior year at Wawasee High School.