Community Corner

LaVasseur Crowned Miss Saline 2011

Aubrey LaVasseur won the Miss Saline Pageant at the Saline Community Fair Tuesday night.

Aubrey LaVasseur, daughter of Paul and Beth LaVasseur, is Miss Saline 2011.

Entering her senior year at Saline High School, LaVasseur was selected at Tuesday night’s annual Miss Saline Pageant at the Saline Community Fair. Megan Rupp was first runner up. Kendal Buie was second runner up.

LaVasseur has had her eye on the Miss Saline Pageant for years.

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“I love Saline and I have lived here all my life. This was something I wanted to do. I’ve been coming to the Miss Saline Pageant for the past five years, just waiting for when I could do it,” said LaVasseur, who watched her older sister compete a few years ago.

She said she was stunned when they called her name and announced her selection as Miss Saline.

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“I heard my name and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” said LaVasseur. “After winning the volunteer award—that was really exciting—I didn’t expect to get anything else. This is awesome.”

Her mom, Beth, was excited when she heard Aubrey’s name called out.

“Aubrey has always been one to do the extra work and volunteer. She deserves it. I am very proud of her,” said the proud mom.

LaVasseur, president of the SHS Drama Club and class secretary, is active in high school musical productions and participates in volunteer activities with her youth group and through the St Joseph Mercy Cancer Center. She hopes to attend the University of Michigan Nursing School.

For winning the pageant, she will receive an $800 scholarship, a $200 savings bond from , a sitting and portrait from , a rose bouquet from , the Miss Saline crown and pin, the 2011 Miss Saline sash and trophy, a gift package and certificate from , and a crow box donated by Laurie and Nicole Stegenga.

She’s looking forward to spending the year as Miss Saline.

“I know I’ll be attending parties and going in parades,” LaVasseur said. “And for the rest of the fair, I’ll be showing the crown to little girls and judging a steer contest. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

LaVasseur accepted the crown from Molly McMillan, Miss Saline 2010.

First runner up Megan Rupp has taken multiple AP classes, serves as the senior class treasurer and is a member of the Chamber Choir. She enjoys baking and creating cards, and plans to pursue a career in mechanical or biomedical engineering. She will receive a $550 scholarship, a $100 savings bond from Key Bank, the first runner up sash and trophy, a crown pin, and a gift package and certificate for Voila Salon and Spa.

Second runner up Kendall Buie, 2012 Class President since 8th grade, has been trained in a wide range of dance styles. She works at in Saline, and is on the SHS yearbook staff. She hopes to study psychology or something else in the medical field at the University of Michigan. She’ll receive a $450 scholarship, $100 savings bond from Joel Ciotta of Yes Insurance, a second runner up sash and trophy, a crown pin, and a gift package and certificate for Voila Salon and Spa.

There were 10 contestants in the pageant. They were judged on academic review, volunteerism, interview appearance, interview answers, modeling of evening gowns, answers to impromptu questions, and a stage interview. Judges were Fire Chief Craig Hoeft, whose mom, Jackie, was Miss Saline in 1949; Jill Hartman Durnen, owner of Hartman Insurance Agency and president of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and Debbie Haarer Malincazk, an independent advisor for Lia Sophia Jewelry who, as a child, twice raised Grand Champion Steer shown at the fair.

The other candidates also drew applause from the 200 or so people who gathered to watch the event.

Emily Buckridge, a squad leader for the marching band and a softball player, is a member of the Ann Arbor Hockettes, a synchronized figure skating team. She plans to pursue a medical degree at the University of Michigan.

Ashleigh Burdick, who hopes to become a large animal veterinarian, traveled to France and Spain over spring break. Next year, she will chair a Model United Nations Conference, SEMMUNA, and has been researching her topic of “Human Rights in Myanmar.”

Shelby Harris, a color guard captain for the marching band who also runs cross-country and track, last year won the spirit award. A volunteer for St. Andrew’s LIFE Program, Safety Town and the Evangelical Home, she plans to pursue an education degree.

Madison Phillips has been offered a soccer and lacrosse scholarship by Siena Heights University in Adrian.  A member of Future Career Community Leaders of America, she works as a waitress at Brecon Village.  She enjoys playing guitar, and would like to become a special education major.

Christina Schneider is a member of the equestrian team, and will attend the University of Findlay to pursue a degree in equine training and barn management. She has held leadership positions in FFA and 4-H and was dual-enrolled in Washtenaw Community College last year.

Sophie Skochelak shows her horse in competitions with the Saline Equestrian Team and as a member of the Riske Riders 4-H Club. She enjoys reading and photography, and was one of four students nominated for the Michigan Youth Leadership Program at SHS. She plans to pursue a teaching degree at Hope College.

Samantha  Szuminski, a squad leader in the color guard section of the marching band, is also a member of the cross country and track teams. She enjoys playing guitar, writing poems and reading. She hopes to attend Michigan State University to major in veterinarian sciences.

 

 

 


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