SHOWBOAT QUEEN CONTESTANTS - Thirteen seniors from Chesaning High School will compete for the honor of representing their community as Miss Chesaning Showboat Music Festival 2008 at the 51st annual pageant to be held this Saturday, January 26. The event takes place in the Chesaning Middle School auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. This year's contestants include, front row, left to right, Audreanna Brown, Jessica Harris, Jessica LaRue, Jessica Volkmer, and Heather Kardas; and back row, left to right, Holly Schoch, Laura Bates, Chelsie Lane, Tiffany Frederick, Lauren Cianek, Lisa Muirhead, Jackie Streeter, and Sarah Wilson. (TCC Photo by Deb Miller)

Thirteen young ladies, all seniors at Chesaning High School, will take the stage to compete for the honor of presiding over Chesaning's marquee summertime event as Miss Chesaning Showboat Music Festival 2008.

The new queen, along with two court members, will reign over the 67th annual Chesaning Showboat Music Festival, which is slated for July 12 through July 19, 2008.

The trio will also serve as goodwill ambassadors for their community's famous summer entertainment attraction by traveling to many pre- and post-festival events, parades, and festivals, along with making many other public appearances, promoting Showboat.

The winners at this year's pageant will be crowned by retiring 2007 Queen Alycia Vondrasek and her court members Emily Maike, and Rachelle Tithof.

Tickets for the event will be sold at the door at a cost of $5 for adults, and $3 for children 12 years of age and younger.

This year's contestants are:

ïAudreanna Cheri Brown, the 17-year-old daughter of George and Martha Brown of Burt.

Her school and community activities have included cheerleading, being involved in Act-So, being involved in the National Youth Leadership Institute, and Gamma Kappa Xirius.

In her spare time she enjoys playing the saxophone, and she also enjoys architecture.

Her future plans include becoming the first African American woman president.

ïLauren Cianek, the 17-year-old daughter of Ted and Beth Cianek of Montrose.

While in high school she has earned a spot on the Honor Roll and her school and community activities have included volunteering with the Relay for Life and Special Olympics.

Her hobbies include tennis, skiing, golf, soccer, piano, and dance.

Her future plans are to attend Central Michigan University to study Physical Therapy.

ïTiffany Frederick, the 17-year-old daughter of Roberta Schaffer and Scott Frederick of Chesaning.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included earning a spot on the Highest Honors Honor Roll and earning the rank of 7th in her class out of 146 students with the 2008 graduating class, being a member of the 2007 State championship competitive cheer team, being a member of the 2006 State runner-up championship cheer team, being a Michigan Promise Scholarship recipient, being selected as a member of the National Honor Society, and being accepted to the University of Michigan and Michigan Tech.

Her school and community activities have included National Honor Society, Key Club, volunteering at youth wrestling meets, volunteering at the Chesaning Christmas Candlewalk, volunteering at Chesaning Cheers competitions, and volunteering at Santa's Village.

Her hobbies include competitive and sideline cheerleading, track, Key Club, being a youth volunteer, and serving as a cheerleading coach.

Her future plans are to attend the University of Michigan to major in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Biochemical Engineering. She also plans to cheer while at the University of Michigan.

ïLaura Rose Bates, the 18-year-old daughter of Jim and Pamela Bates of Oakley.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included earning a spot on the Honor Roll all four years, being selected as a member of the National Honor Society, receiving the Chesaning Association for Performing Arts (CAPA) 2007 "Work Horse" Award, earning a varsity letter for CAPA, earning Superior Honors, regional level, for the chorus ensemble in CAPA's "Trojan Women" competition play, earning Superior Honors, district level for costume design in CAPA's "Trojan Women" competition play, earning Superior Honors, district level for chorus ensemble for CAPA's "Trojan Women", earning the 2007 Performance of the Year for the lead roll Carmen Diaz in the musical "Fame", earning the Kelsey City Most Obliging Award at Girl's State, earning Excellence Honors, regional level for costume design for CAPA's "Tartuffe" competition play, earning Superior Honors, district level for costume design for CAPA's "Tartuffe" competition play, and being awarded the Good Citizenship Citation for the Chesaning American Legion Auxiliary #212.

Her school and community activities have included National Honor Society, being an actress with the Chesaning Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), serving as a student director for the Chesaning Middle School play, being a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Youth Group, serving as a vacation bible school volunteer, serving as a Sunday School pianist, serving as a childcare provider, serving as a Chesaning Union High School Peer Mediator, being a CAPA set designer, being a CAPA costume designer and seamstress, being a CAPA choreographer, serving as a volunteer with the Owosso Community Players as a house manger and stage crew member, being a Girl's State participant, serving as a volunteer at St. Mary's of Michigan Hospital, serving as a volunteer with the Chesaning Christmas Candlewalk and Santa's Village, serving on the CAPA play selection committee, volunteering with the Chesaning Community Blood Drive, and working co-op at St. Mary's of Michigan Health Center.

In her spare time she enjoys watching Jerry Lewis films, scrapbooking, fishing, reading, costume design and sewing, playing the piano, and using her vocal, acting and dancing talents to entertain audiences.

Her future plans are to attend either Michigan State University or Grand Valley State University to obtain a doctorate in Physical Therapy and work as a Physical Therapist for one of the hospitals in the mid-Michigan area.

ïJessica Harris, the 17-year-old daughter of David and Toni Harris of Chesaning.

Her school and community activities have included serving as a volunteer at the Our Lady Parish chicken dinners during showboat week.

In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, movies, and helping others.

Her future plans are to attend Delta College for child education for two years and then transfer to Ferris State University.

ïHeather Kardas, the 17-year-old daughter of Ray and Amy Kardas of Montrose.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included being selected as a member of the National Honor Society, MIFA, earning a Superior Award for costumes for the Chesaning Association of the Performing Arts (CAPA) competition play "Trojan Women".

Her school and community activities have included National Honor Society, the International Club, Church Youth Group, and serving as a Shiawassee Humane Society Volunteer.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, collecting business cards, and participating in the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Her future plans are to attend Central Michigan University for pre-medicine and to become a cardiovascular surgeon. She also plans to minor in Spanish and to someday have a family.

ïChelsie Lane, the 17-year-old daughter of Steve and Lori Lane of Chesaning.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included being selected as a member of the National Honor Society, serving as president of the National Honor Society, earning a spot on the Honor Roll, being selected for the Who's Who Among America's Top High School Students, and being chosen as the 2007 Chesaning High School Homecoming Queen.

Her school and community activities have included National Honor Society, tennis, track, cheerleading, serving as Class Treasurer, serving as a soccer camp coach at Zion Lutheran School, serving as a cheerleading coach as Zion Lutheran School, and serving as a volunteer at church, along with singing at church, In her spare time she enjoys shopping, reading, playing tennis, running, scrapbooking, spending time with her family and friends, and swimming.

Her future plans are to attend Saginaw Valley State University to become a Pediatric Nurse.

ïJessica LaRue, the 18-year-old daughter of Sally Rogers of Brant.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included being an alternate State winner with FFA.

Her school and community activities have included serving as a volunteer for Chesaning's Christmas Candlewalk, serving as a volunteer at the nursing home and senior center, and being a member of the FFA.

In her spare time she enjoys cosmetology, scrapbooking, snowmobiling, and fishing.

Her future plans are to attend Delta College of Saginaw.

ïJessica Volkmer, the 17-year-old daughter of Fordney and Annette Volkmer of Chesaning.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included being selected as a member of the National Honor Society.

Her school and community activities have included being a member of the Concert Band, the Marching Band, and the Pep Band, being a member of the National Honor Society, being a member of the Key Club, being a member of the Brady Wesleyan Youth Group, tennis, soccer, and participating in Solo and Ensemble.

In her spare time she enjoys playing the flute and the piano, playing tennis, shopping, and watching movies.

Her future plans are to attend Western Michigan University to become a music teacher.

ïSarah Wilson, the 17-year-old daughter of Don Wilson and Alicia Wilson of Burt.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included earning a varsity letter for two years of choir.

Her school and community activities have included being involved in the school choir and the church choir.

In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends, movies, shopping, and spending time with others.

Her future plans are to work in a salon, get a business degree, and eventually open her own salon.

ïLisa Muirhead, the 17-year-old daughter of Mary and Mark Muirhead of Chesaning.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included earning a spot on the High Honors Honor Roll, and earning Superior and Excellent Awards in theater.

Her school and community activities have included choir, horseback riding, Girl Scouts, Chesaning Association for Performing Arts (CAPA), and Yearbook.

Her future plans are to attend college.

ïHolly Schoch, the 17-year-old daughter of Douglas and Kimberly Schoch of St. Charles.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included earning a spot on the High Honors all A Honor Roll for all four years, serving as the treasurer of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) her freshman year, attending Leadership conference her 9th and 10th grade years.

Her school and community activities have included being a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) her 9th grade year, being a member of the SADD Sticker Shock team, attending Leadership Conference during her 9th and 11th grade years, and she currently attends Mane Street Academy of Hair Design in Owosso.

In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, spending time with family, shopping, and cosmetology.

Her future plans are to finish cosmetology school and go to Delta College for business management.

ïJackie Streeter, the 18-year-old daughter of Denise Gasper of Chesaning.

Her achievements and honors while in high school have included being selected as the Chesaning Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) 2006 Actress/Performer of the Year, being a Peer Mediator, and serving as Junior Class President and Senior Class President.

Her school and community activities have included Chesaning Association of the Performing Arts (CAPA), serving as a Youth Representative at the Our Lady Church, and being an employee at the Malt Shop.

In her spare time she enjoys drinking hot cocoa on cold nights, watching movies with friends, and acting in plays.

Her future plans are to attend Saginaw Valley State University where she plans to double major in Spanish and Foreign Relations, and minor in theater. She also plans to travel and study abroad in Spain and England after college.

This year's queen will have her choice of a $1,000 scholarship or a $500 cash award, while the two runners-up will each choose from a $600 scholarship or a $300 cash award.

This year's pageant is being coordinated by the 2008 festival committee which is comprised of, 2008 festival chairperson Denise Ebenhoeh, along with committee members Phil Giesken, Todd Vondrasek, and Marcia Murphy.

For more information regarding the Chesaning showboat Music Festival, visit www.chesaningshowboat.org