Hailee Swenson won the Miss Pequot Lakes crown Friday, April 20, at the Miss Pequot Lakes Scholarship Pageant.
Swenson, a junior at Pequot Lakes High School, won a $3,000 scholarship along with her title. Her livestock demonstration about showing cattle thrust her to the top and won over the audience when Penelope the calf made an appearance on stage.
Queen escort is Eagle View Elementary School fourth-grader Presley Crawford.
Pequot Lakes junior Ashlynn Reynolds won a $1,500 scholarship as Miss Pequot Lakes Princess, escorted by her sister, fourth-grader Amelia Reynolds. The Miss Congeniality title and $750 scholarship went to Pequot Lakes junior Necole Lyons, escorted by fourth-grader Cecilla Kinney.
The nine candidates and their escorts, along with last year's royalty, opened the show with a group dance to "Thriller," choreographed by dance team members Alexis Lueck, Kyan Kitzman and Ashlynn Reynolds.
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The contestants competed in casual conversation, talent and evening gown. Along with Swenson's livestock demonstration, talents included speeches, painting, singing, taekwondo and a song performance in sign language.
Other candidates were seniors Emmarae Lasart, Madison Conrad and Kaitlyn Deneau, and juniors Kyan Kitzman, Maggie Harms and Desera Engholm. Their escorts were Eagle View fourth-graders Lilah Jeck, Ruby Palmer, Aman Kibwaa, Avery Peterson, Brianna Guggenberger and June Ruud.
Kimberly Ziesemer was mistress of ceremonies and pageant director.
Miss Pequot Lakes royalty will act as goodwill ambassadors and represent the city at various events throughout the year. Community Action of Pequot Lakes organizes the pageant.
