Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Standing on stage before the winners were named in the Miss Kosciusko Scholarship Pageant Saturday night, Lindsay Schwartz said that her thoughts were: "My feet hurt and I'm ready to get out of here."
Now she's walking with her tiara in the clouds as the newly crowned Miss Kosciusko.
The 18-year-old daughter of Bob and Diana Schwartz of North Webster, Lindsay will represent Kosciusko County in the 1999 Miss Indiana Pageant next June. The winner of that pageant continues on to the 1999 Miss America Pageant.
Lindsay's father was glowing like a lightning bug outside Wawasee High School after the event. Pride in his only child was evident, and he was quick to point out that she's worked hard to reach this goal in her life. Lindsay said Sunday that she thinks her mom is in a state of shock and that she, herself, wonders "when am I going to wake up?"
As the runners-up were being named in the contest, Lindsay said, she didn't think she would be chosen as Miss Kosciusko 1999 because she wasn't overly confident with her interview portion of the competition.
"I was hoping for the best, but I didn't think my interview went well," she said. She also didn't believe she competed well in the evening gown competition, citing that she "didn't walk right" and didn't answer her questions well (each contestant was asked two questions - one general and one pertaining to information obtained from her interview). "I still don't know what star quality is," she said, referring to her general question asking for the definition of the term. She had responded that it was "what it takes to be a star ... (and) be your best."
However, Lindsay was happy with her talent performance: "I knew I nailed my talent." She danced to "Without Her" from "For the Love of Harry," proving that 15 years of dance instruction can pay off. Forty percent of the judging was based on the talent portion of the competition, with the interview and evening gown competitions each worth 30 percent of the scores.
Lindsay was third runner-up in last year's Miss Kosciusko Pageant and participated last month in the Queen of Lakes Pageant at North Webster.
She is a 1998 graduate of Wawasee High School, where she was in choir and school plays and received the 1997-98 best actress award. At age 12, Lindsay performed in "Gypsy" at Wagon Wheel Theatre, and she once danced on stage with Gregory Hines at the Embassy Theater in Fort Wayne, where she had gone to see his show and was invited onto the stage to dance.
She will leave next month for Oklahoma, where she was accepted by audition to Oklahoma City University and will major in dance performance. Her goals for the future include becoming a successful professional dancer and someday owning a dance studio.
As Miss Kosciusko, Lindsay receives a $1,500 scholarship, an expense-paid trip to the Miss Indiana Pageant, Miss Indiana photographs, a Miss Kosciusko crown and lapel pin, a wardrobe allowance, a subscription to Pageantry Magazine, flowers, a planning calendar portfolio and an official "Miss K" T-shirt.
Lindsay is outspoken on her support of the Miss America Program opportunities and said that every young lady should enter such a pageant at least once.
"It's definitely not a beauty pageant," Lindsay said. "It's a scholarship pageant." She said that the judges choose the winner not solely on looks, but on intelligence and other factors. "It's the whole package, not just what you look like," she said.
Even though she's spent much of her life on stage, Lindsay said, the pageant experience allowed her to gain a new confidence in herself. "It's an excellent program," she said. "It gives you guts."
First runner-up in the pageant was Shiloh Butler, 18-year-old daughter of David and Susie Butler of Syracuse. A 1998 graduate of Wawasee High School, Shiloh receives a $1,000 scholarship and a presentation plaque.
Mandy McCleary, 18, of Winona Lake, was second runner-up. The daughter of Brad and Darlene Whaley and Garry and Jacki McCleary, she receives an $800 scholarship and a presentation plaque.
Third runner-up was Angela Gakstatter of Warsaw. The 22-year-old daughter of Art and Carolyn Gakstatter, she receives a $600 scholarship and a presentation plaque.
The fourth runner-up, 18-year-old Darcy Replogle, receives a $500 scholarship and a presentation plaque. She is the daughter of Dennis and Linda Replogle of Milford.
The nonfinalist talent competition winner was Laura Warren, 17, of Warsaw. She performed a tap dance to "Mellow Saxophone" by Will Supply and receives a $150 scholarship. She is the daughter of Matt and Sheila Warren.
The nonfinalist interview winner was Chandra Mathew, 20, of Syracuse. The daughter of Richard and Darlene Mathew, she also receives a $150 scholarship.
All nonfinalists also receive $100 scholarships.
