Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - The third time was the charm for pageant veteran Heidi Mattern, who was crowned "Queen of Lakes" Saturday night at the 53rd Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes Pageant.
Mattern, of Nappanee, was especially excited to be "queened" by outgoing Queen of Lakes Kelly Leer, because "she queened me at the Elkhart County Fair (in 1995) and we're really good friends."
Mattern said she met Leer on the pageant circuit eight years ago and has made many friends in the six pageants in which she's competed. She said that the second runner-up, Renee Dawn Welch of Ridgeville, is one of her sorority sisters and that she told the first runner-up that she thought it was "really neat to have the Cutie Queen as her first runner-up" (16-year-old Amber Fry of Kentwood, Mich., was named Cutie Queen of the 1988 Mermaid Festival).
The 20-year-old Mattern likely knew what the judges were looking for Saturday since she served as a judge Friday night at the 1998 Miss Kosciusko County Fair Queen Pageant. Also, she was second runner-up in the Queen of Lakes Pageant last year and was the 1997 Indiana Yorkshire Queen.
While the other three finalists were secluded offstage, each girl was required to answer a final question before the judges.
The question: "In the last several years, there has been a debate as to what truly makes up the family unit. What is your definition of the family unit and why?"
Mattern's answer: "I come from a very supportive family and my parents have taught me that there are three steppingstones to a family unit - religion, respect and responsibility. ..." She then explained the various aspects of life needed to move among those steppingstones.
The daughter of Bill and Cheryl Mattern, the 5-foot, 6-inch blonde with hazel eyes will be a junior at Ball State University, where she is working to become a specialty teacher in reading. She plans to pursue a master's degree through Indiana University as a guidance counselor for children.
Mattern competed as "Miss Lake Wawasee II" and was sponsored by Smoker-Craft, New Paris.
As Queen of Lakes, she receives a $2,000 scholarship, tiara, silver scepter, an engraved glass champagne cooler and roses. Mattern also received the Lioness Club Community Service Award of $100 and a silver tray for her contributions to her community, and won a plaque from the Lions Club for second place in the parade conveyance award.
Contestants were judged in the three categories for the pageant - interview, swimsuit and evening gown.
Fry, the daughter of David and Sherri Fry, wins a $1,500 scholarship, tiara and roses. She will be both a senior at Kelloggsville High School and a freshman at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall. She plans to study dance and criminal law. Fry's sponsor was Nadine's Restaurant, North Webster, and her competition title was "Miss Tippecanoe Lake."
Welch, 20, is the daughter of Reece and Linda Welch. She just completed her sophomore year at Ball State University and is majoring in biology and zoology. Her prizes include a $1,000 scholarship, tiara and roses. She was sponsored by A.K. Hare Co., North Webster, and competed as "Miss Sechrist Lake."
Third runner-up was Jamey Bell, 17-year-old daughter of Don and Becky Bell of Bourbon. She is a 1998 graduate of Triton Jr.-Sr. High School and hopes to become a physical therapist assistant. Sponsored by Sunrise Photography, Bell was "Miss Tippecanoe Lake II." She receives a $500 scholarship, tiara and roses.
Other parade conveyance winners were: first, "Miss Webster Lake" Lindsay Schwartz, 18, daughter of Robert and Diana Schwartz of North Webster, and third, "Miss Chapman Lake" Jennifer Kennedy, 18, daughter of Marjorie Kennedy of South Whitley.
The pageant is sponsored by the North Webster Lioness Club, and the scholarships are provided by the International Palace of Sports Foundation, Homer Shoop Memorial Scholarship. The parade conveyance prizes are awarded from the North Webster Lions Club.
