By Per Peterson
This year’s group of Miss Tracy contestants aren’t all talk, but then again …
Four out of the seven Tracy Area High School seniors-to-be who make up this year’s group — Ceara Lasley, Carly Holland, Hannah Wichmann and Makala Lemburg— will be giving a speech for their talent at the Miss Tracy Scholarship Program on Sunday, Sept. 1. Other contestants are Jordan Kunkel (dance), Cora Leonard (instrumental) and Brooke Christian (vocal/instrumental).
The theme of this year’s program is “20/20 Experience.”
Mallory Fultz is in her seventh year of helping with the program after her mother was involved for more than 20 years.
“There have been a few changes when it comes to directors over the years but our core group has been together for the last few years and they include Kim Roggatz, Kelsey Stuefen, Mary Squires, Alicia Swenhaugen, Brooke Ortmann, Lexi Erickson and myself,” Fultz said. “We all have a great time working together and have become a great group of directors to work with. We also have Mackenzie Vogt who has helped Brooke choreograph and teach the fitness routine and opening number, former Miss Tracy Director Jesse James still comes back to help teach the girls how to walk in heels among other things. Both Mackenzie and Jesse have been great help over the summer.”
Fultz said she has always enjoyed working with the girls and watching them grow over the summer. She appreciates being a small part of the transformation each of the girls goes through as they prepare for the Miss Tracy contest.
“They are always ready to work, take our suggestions, and are never without questions or asking for clarifications on things,” she said. “They all have great personalities, which always makes practice fun and eventful. There is definitely never a dull moment with this group.”
The Miss Tracy winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship; the first runner-up gets $900; and the second runner-up receives $700.
There are five categories in the program: Scholastic Achievement & Community Involvement, Creative Arts Presentation, Fitness Routine, Presence & Composure, and Panel Evaluation – these are all $300 scholarships. Other awards/scholarships are: Lori Bangasser Memorial, $300; Spirit Award, $300; and $250 alumni scholarship to each recipient, thanks to Miss Tracy Alumni. Each category is weighed the same and is worth 20% of the contestant’s total score.
Miss Photogenic is voted on by the public.
Cassidy Smith, last year’s Miss Tracy, along with first runner-up Kallie Benson and second runner-up Kristin Bohn, will entertain the audience with an original skit. Ben and Gavin VanMoer will be singing this year between the fitness and presence portions of the program.
Lexi Erickson and Jason Kainz will be the emcees.
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Kunkel’s parents are Mark and Dawn Kunkel; Lasley’s parents are Dwayne and Darcy Lasley; Holland’s parents are Mike and Sheila Holland; Leonard’s parents are Ed and Jamie Leonard; Lemburg’s parents are Jim and Rachel Miller; Wichmann’s parents are Shawn and Nicole Wichmann; and Christian’s parents are Jim and Melissa Christian.
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Contestant sponsors this year include Currie State Bank (Kunkel); Mears Electric (Lasley); Promotions Plus (Holland); Midwest Supply (Leonard); T&J Trucking (Lemburg); Tracy Fire Department (Wichmann); and Tracy Lions Club (Christian).