Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - The 1997 Triton Junior Miss is Christina Wanemacher.
Wanemacher was crowned Saturday night in the Triton High School auditorium concluding a three-hour program featuring 13 senior contestants. The daughter of Kim and Jim Wanemacher, Bourbon, tied with Wanda Miller for the scholastic achievement award. Each girl received a $275 scholarship certificate for the academic category. Wanemacher also won a $275 scholarship for the presence and composure portion of the program.
For the CPA competition, Wanemacher pantomimed a skit to the song "Along Came Jones," where she played the parts of the damsel in distress, the villain and the white-hatted hero. Wanemacher won an $800 scholarship, a medallion, roses and a trip to the Indiana Junior Miss program representing Triton High School.
Miller is the daughter of Roy and Orpha Miller, Bourbon. To the music "Twister Alley," Miller did a line dance routine for the creative and performing arts competition.
Angela Glatfelter, daughter of April and Sam Fraser, Bourbon, was the first runner-up. She won a $400 scholarship. For the CPA competition, she choreographed an energetic routine incorporating aerobic dancing, gymnastics and cheerleading moves. Glatfelter also won a $275 scholarship for youth fitness.
Rachael Yeiter, daughter of Rosalind and Matt Yeiter, Bourbon, was named the second runner-up and won a $300 scholarship. For the CPA, she portrayed Pinocchio in a skit to the music "I Got No Strings."
The obvious audience favorite in the CPA category apparently got good marks from the judges. Jana Miner's comic hula actions to a Hawaiian beach song garnered audience approval and laughter even as she went to the outer edge of tastefulness. The daughter of Randy Miner and Rita Anglin, Etna Green, she won a $275 scholarship for her earthy effort.
The award for Spirit of Junior Miss is decided by the contestants as they vote for the contestant they feel embodies the Junior Miss qualities. Jessica Semonis was chosen by her peer group for this honor. The daughter of Vicki and Donald Semonis, Tippecanoe, she did a politically correct monologue on the Three Little Pigs.
Two of the candidates had no chance to win, competed simply for the experience, and came away with honorary 1997 Junior Miss titles. German exchange student Nadja Schuh and Brazilian exchange student Leandra Vinholi are Triton's resident exchange students and they were ineligible to win. Their presence added an international flavor to the program. Singing the "Macarena" and swaying softly with the rhythm, Vinholi demonstrated that the motions, although simple, when done in context, do not resemble the movements of the "Hokey Pokey."
Performing behind a sheet of white paper, Schuh did a silhouetted dance routine.
All participants not receiving scholarships receive $100 savings bonds. The other contestants and their CPAs were: KiKi Hammonds, a hobo dance to "It's Not How You Start"; Joy Kuhn, a ballet she choreographed to the overture from the "Nutcracker"; Sheila Miller, a keyboard piece she composed titled "Autumn Breeze"; Betsy Zarazua, sang "God Help the Outcast" from the Hunchback of Notre Dame"; and Kerry Hooley did a pantomime to "Me and My Teddy."
Special entertainment for the evening included the winners of the CPA category at 1996 Little Miss Summerfest. Cassi McIntyre tapdanced to the theme from "The Lion King." Bethany Clemens' dance routine was accompanied by the song "Haunted House."
Major sponsors of the scholarships include The First State Bank, Morris and Sons Inc., United Technologies Automotive, Poulson Ford, Bourbon Lumber, Bourbon Veterinary Hospital, Coca-Cola Botting Co.-Plymouth, Triton Kiwanis, and Triton Teachers Association.
