NISSWA — Amber Hidde has watched pageants since she was little, especially in Pequot Lakes, and she always wanted to participate in one when she grew up.
Not only did Hidde realize that goal, she will represent the Nisswa community as Miss Nisswa after being crowned at the 51st annual Miss Nisswa Scholarship Competition on Saturday, March 4, at Nisswa Elementary School.
It is an amazing feeling to know that all of your hard work has paid off.
Hidde swept the judging categories, winning the essay, talent and personal interview portions of the pageant. She also won the Nisswa Votes category, where those who attended voted for a contestant.
Areas of competition included the essay, personal interview, talent, evening gown and on-stage question.
“It is an amazing feeling to know that all of your hard work has paid off,” Hidde said after the pageant.
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All four candidates will represent Nisswa in the next year: Hidde as Miss Nisswa, Ashley Wallin as First Princess, Jasmine Patnoe as Second Princess and Annie Neva as Miss Congeniality.
Hidde, a Pequot Lakes High School senior, won a total of $3,300 — a $3,000 educational scholarship from the Nisswa Youth Scholarship Organization for claiming the title and $100 each for the essay, talent and interview categories.
She plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston, for a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in business.
Her talent was a presentation on the basics of horseback riding. Hidde owns a horse, Flashy, that she bought at age 12.
Wallin, a Pequot Lakes High School senior, won a $1,500 scholarship.
She plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Omaha for a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology before going on to medical school.
Her talent was a sewing demonstration.
Patnoe, a Brainerd High School junior, won a $750 scholarship.
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After graduating from high school, she plans to attend a university in Florida to become a marine biologist.
Her talent was performing tennis tricks.
Neva is a Pequot Lakes High School junior. She won $100.
She plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Duluth, to pursue a degree in elementary education after graduating from high school.
Neva’s talent was a golf presentation.
The evening included the 32nd annual Little Miss Nisswa Program. Nine Nisswa Elementary School second graders participated, with three names being randomly drawn as winners: Astrid Stumvoll, who was unable to attend because of illness, Jocelyn Deschaine and Claire Nickelson.
Other Little Miss Nisswa participants were MaryGayle Lamusga, Alexus Olson, Marlee Peters, Elly Marsh, Lexi Obeidzinski and Norah Waletzko.
Outgoing royalty participated in the pageant: Miss Nisswa 2022 Maddie Ryan, First Princess 2022 Brooke Krivich, Miss Congeniality 2022 Alexis Shaw and Little Miss Nisswas Adalyne Peterson, Elissabeth Sparrow and Harper Wilczek.
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The Nisswa Youth Scholarship Organization hosts the competition.
Judges were Rick Cole, Pam Poston and Joell Tvedt. Essay judge was Pequot Lakes High School teacher Maarja Melander.
The essay question for candidates was: Identify what brings joy to your life now and how do you plan to keep that feeling of "joy" as part of your life after high school?
Nancy Vogt, editor, may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.
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