Pierson reigns as Miss Pequot Lakes

New royalty was crowned as senior Mollie Pierson was named the new Miss Pequot Lakes at the 34th annual pageant Friday, April 23, in the Pequot Lakes High School auditorium.

Senior Jackalyn Fox and junior Maya Orvis were crowned princesses, while Orvis was also named Miss Congeniality.

Pierson earned a $4,000 scholarship for being crowned Miss Pequot Lakes while Fox and Orvis earned $2,000 as princesses. Orvis earned another $1,000 as Miss Congeniality.

Their escorts are fourth-graders Ashlyn Peterson, queen escort, and Claire Loge and Vanessa Fox, princess escorts.

Other Miss Pequot Lakes candidates were juniors Sydnie Wgeishofski, Marie Wallin and Kelsey Polchow. Their escorts were Sloane Knettel, Bella Brynteson and Adelle Seeker, respectively.

The pageant began with a dance performance, as the contestants and escorts had a choreographed routine to Meghan Trainor’s song “Me Too.”

Candidates then competed in casual conversation, where each answered two questions before the judges - one question the candidates chose and one they did not prepare for.

For the talent portion, Pierson - a prominent member of the Pequot Lakes High School speech team - gave a presentation on wastewater treatment and how chemicals entering freshwater systems affects wildlife; Orvis performed a trumpet solo; Fox performed a solo dance routine to the song “Youth” by Daughter; Wallin showed a video of her figure skating routine and discussed moves and techniques; Wgeishofski performed a juggling act; and Polchow painted a picture in the “gauche” style.

Outgoing royalty at the pageant included 2020 Miss Pequot Lakes Sydney Dorian, 2020 Princess Madi Fulton and 2020 Princess and Miss Congeniality Hannah Brown, who each shared a farewell speech at the pageant.

Pageant director Kimberly Ziesemer served as mistress of ceremonies with the help of her daughters, Gabby and Isabelle.

Community Action of Pequot Lakes sponsors the annual scholarship pageant.

Dan Determan may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan.

1/6: Mollie Pierson is Miss Pequot Lakes 2021. Dan Determan / Echo Journal

2/6: Jackalyn Fox performs a dance routine as her talent at the Miss Pequot Lakes pageant Friday, April 23. Fox was crowned a princess at the event. Dan Determan / Echo Journal

3/6: From left: Sloane Knettel, Sydnie Wgeishofski, Adelle Seeker, Kelsey Polchow, Vanessa Fox, Jackalyn Fox, Ashlyn Peterson, Mollie Pierson, Claire Loge, Maya Orvis, Marie Wallin and Bella Brynteson. Dan Determan / Echo Journal

4/6: Senior Mollie Pierson gives an informative speech on wastewater treatment at the Miss Pequot Lakes Pageant Friday, April 23. Pierson was crowned the new Miss Pequot Lakes at the event. Dan Determan / Echo Journal

5/6: Candidate Sydnie Wgeishofski and her escort Sloane Knettel dance with the rest of the court in a choreographed routine to begin the 34th annual Miss Pequot Lakes pageant Friday, April 23. Dan Determan / Echo Journal

6/6: From left: princess escort Vanessa Fox, princess Jackalyn Fox, queen escort Ashlyn Peterson, Miss Pequot Lakes Mollie Pierson, princess and Miss Congeniality Maya Orvis and princess escort Claire Loge. Dan Determan / Echo Journal