NORTH WEBSTER – The Mermaid Festival Cutie King and Queen Pageant, along with the Queen of the Lakes pageant, both filled up the North Webster Community Center gym this weekend.
The Queen of the Lakes Pageant had 22 contestants Saturday night.
There was a new theme wear competition this year as opposed to a swimsuit portion in previous years. The theme was the same as this year’s festival, “Jungle Safari”.
Victoria Chamberlin, Milford, was crowned the 2011 Queen of the Lakes.
Chamberlin was Miss Waubee Lake, and is the daughter of Lorraine and Dan Chamberlin.
Chamberlin attends Findlay University and plans to attend law school.
Paige Geer, Miss Papakeechie Lake, was first-runner-up.
Geer is from Syracuse and attends Indiana University. She is the daughter of Blake and Connie Geer.
Second runner-up was Haley Melching.
Melching is the daughter of Sally Melching and was Miss Big Tippy.
Melching is attending Purdue University.
Third runner-up was Samantha Schrock. Schrock was Miss Dewart Lake and recently graduated from Wawasee High School. She is the daughter of Tad and Tonia Schrock.
Chamberlin earned a $2,000 scholarship while Geer earned $1,500, Melching earned $1,000 and Schrock earned $500. 2010 Queen of Lakes Danielle Boggs helped crown the new queen Saturday night.
Boggs said it was an honor to serve as queen and thanked the North Webster Lions Club for all their activity.
Erica Zartman, Miss Nyona Lake, was the winner of the Jungle Theme Award.
Jenna Coy was the parade winner and won a $750 scholarship.
Darian Conard was second and won $500, while Kristen Lemaitre was third and won $250.
The 2011 Community Service Award went to Erica Ksiezopolski.
Darcy VanDiepenbos was named Miss Congeniality.
Sue Ann Mitchell, who had been the chairman of the pageant for years, announced that Saturday night’s pageant would be her last. She was recognized for her efforts.
Friday night, Carissa Stoneburner and Aidan Williamson were named the Cutie Queen and King respectively.
Stoneburner is the daughter of Kris and Anne Stoneburner, and Williamson is the son of Kevin and Tabitha Williamson.
The third runner-up for the boys was Grant Krull, son of Shawn and Lisa Krull; second runner-up was Jay Harris-Miller, son of Anthony Harris and Jennifer Miller; first runner up was Jonathan Currie, son of Jeff and Jasmine Curry.
Kiana Rager was third runner-up for the girls. She is the daughter of Gabe and Kammi Rager. Kaitlyn Fouts was second runner-up and is the daughter of Greg and Lisa Fouts; Mikilah Wiggs was first runner-up and she is the daughter of Angela Walker.
There were 40 girls and 20 boys involved in Friday’s pageant.
There were 85 kids in the cutie pageant earlier in the week.
