Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Kenesa Hope Myers, 6, daughter of William and Krisce Myers, Leesburg, was chosen the 56th annual Cutie Queen Friday, and Garrett Ryan Freel, 6, son of Chad and Virginia Freel, Milford, was selected Cutie King.
The annual Cutie Pageant is open to children ages 4 to 6 who participated in the Cutie Parade held earlier in the week.
Cutie Pageant contestants compete for $20,000 in educational bonds. The king and queen receive $5,000 each.
First runners-up receive $2,500 each. Taylor Jade Smith, 5, daughter of Todd and Amy Smith, Warsaw, was first runner-up girl, and Austin Joseph Krizman, 6, son of Joe and Teresa Krizman, Syracuse, was first runner-up boy.
Second runners-up receive $1,500 each. Taylor Nicole Hatfield, 5, daughter of Harold and Angela Hatfield, Etna Green, was second runner-up girl, and Nathan Joseph Cook, 5, son of Dena Cook and Jeff Buchanan, Syracuse, was second runner-up boy.
Third runners-up receive $1,000 each. Megan Marie Davidson, 4, daughter of Scott and Melissa Davidson, Leesburg, was third runner-up girl, and Branden Robert Louis Scott, 4, son of Brian and Stephanie, Warsaw, was third runner-up boy.
The children wear casual clothes for the contest and are asked to be themselves.
Smiling and waving before the standing-room-only crowd in the Lion's building on the Mermaid Festival grounds, the children are rated on their appearance, self-confidence, attitude and cooperation.
The eight court members were selected from a field of 21 finalists - two of the boys' scores tied. Eighty children participated in this year's event, cosponsored by The North Webster Lioness Club and The Inernational Palace of Sports Inc.
