2017 Miss Mountain Lake, Little Miss crowns awarded Friday, June 16
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever . . . from “Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Philip Sousa, 1897.
Miss – and Little Miss – Mountain Lake candidates will be sparking red, white and blue life to the music and lyrics of Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” during the pageant that will determine the 83rd Mountain Lake Pow Wow’s 2017 Royal Court. The pageant will be held on Friday evening, June 16, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Mountain Lake Public High School Auditorium.
Six candidates, all who will be high school seniors in the fall, will be vying to wear the crown of 2017 Miss Mountain Lake, with 10 little girls, heading to third grade next school year, participating in the Little Miss portion of the pageant.
The Miss Mountain Lake candidates, are, in alphabetical order, Jordan Boldt, Danielle Duerksen, Jae Faber, Jenneel Rodney, Madison Schroeder and Jewel Soutthivong. (See thumbnail bios of the half-dozen below.)
The Little Miss candidates, and their parents, also in alphabetical order, include Bella Anacker (James and Jennifer Anacker), Bryn Bell (Brad Bell and Christina Hanson), Chloie Jensen (Bruce and Ashley Jensen), Astaria Mendez (Alex Mendez and Jasmine Rehnelt), Lorelai Morin (Matt and Jen Morin and April Morin), Isabelle Penner (Jason and Laura Penner), Elena Stade (Dennis and Stacey Stade), Chelsea Wallert (David and Karla Ertz), Kathryn Wassman (Karl and Karyn Wassman) and Aleeah Yusuf (Abdifatah Yusuf and Karyn Wallert).
Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $4 for students and preschool age is free.
Judging for Miss Mountain Lake is done through personal interview, sportswear dance, talent and poise and appearance. Coordinating the Miss Mountain Lake portion of the pageant are Alisa Nickel and Jami Peters.
The Little Miss is determining by drawing of the winning name. Jami Peters, Sarah Mendoza and Becky Palm handle the duties coordinating the Little Miss contestants.
Quick look at the six Miss Mountain Lake candidates (in alphabetical order)
JORDAN BOLDT
Age: 16.
Parents and Siblings: Jordan’s parents are Tim and Mandy Boldt. She has a younger brother, Jaden.
School: Mountain Lake Public.
In-School Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, FFA, Senior High Choir, High School Student Council and LINKUp.
Out-Of-School Activities: J O Volleyball, Club Softball and Church Youth Group Community Service.
Employment: Schwartz Farms and Mountain Lake Community Education Summer Rec.
Hobbies: Hanging out with family and friends, watching ’90s and Disney movies, softball, napping and reading.
Future Plans: Possibly attend University of Minnesota-Morris to study elementary education.
Talent: Speech Interpretation.
Pageant Sponsor: Maynard’s Foods.
Favorite Pow Wow Memory(ies): Eating a million slushies!
DANIELLE DUERKSEN
Age: 17.
Parents and Siblings: Troy and Dixie Duerksen are her mom and dad. She has an older brother, Tylor and a younger brother, Treyton.
School: Mountain Lake Public.
In-School Activities: Basketball, Senior High Band and FFA.
Out-Of-School Activities: Church Youth Group.
Employment: Vaccinating pigs at KBQ, Inc. of Mountain Lake.
Hobbies: Fishing, camping, sleeping, coloring and watching “Regular Show.”
Future Plans: Her college/university is undecided, but she plans on studying for a career as a veterinarian.
Talent: Edith Ann (Lily Tomlin) Comedy Skit.
Pageant Sponsor: KBQ, Inc.
Favorite Pow Wow Memory(ies): Watching the Miss Mountain Lake Pageant, the Midway rides and the Monday Night Grande Parade. (Danielle’s name was drawn as Little Miss Mountain Lake the summer she was eligible between second and third grade.)
JAE FABER
Age: 17.
Parents and Siblings: Her mom and dad are Craig and Deb Faber. Jae has two younger brothers, Jon and Joey.
School: Mountain Lake Public.
In-School Activities: Cross Country and Track and Field Manager, FFA Officer, High School Student Council, National Honor Society, Senior High Choir, Senior High Show Choir, a capella Group, Senior High Band, Senior High Percussion Ensemble, Fall Musical, One-Act Play and LINKUp.
Out-Of-School Activities: Church Band, Church Youth Group Community Service.
Employment: NA.
Hobbies: Reading, music, spending tim with friends and famil and watching movies.
Future Plans: Attend college for a job I love – and live happily ever after.
Talent: Photograph with vocal solo selection.
Pageant Sponsor: United Prairie Bank & Insurance.
Favorite Pow Wow Memory(ies): Having my first-ever hamburger with onions – just last year!
JENNEEL RODNEY
Age: 17.
Parents and Siblings: Dilly and Debbie Rodney are her mom and dad. Jenneel has two older brothers, Jerome and Demar and a one younger brother, Javonn.
School: Mountain Lake Public.
In-School Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, High School Student Council, Senior High Choir, Senior High Band and FFA.
Out-Of-School Activities: Youth Group, Wolverine Basketball Camp Assistant, Church Camp, J O Volleyball, Summer Basketball and working during Pow Wow at her parents’ food stand.
Employment: The local Cenex C-Store.
Hobbies: Family, volleyball and basketball.
Future Plans: Attend a two-year or four-year college/university, but undecided as to which and where.
Talent: Vocal solo.
Pageant Sponsor: CR Construction.
Favorite Pow Wow Memory(ies): Going on Pow Wow Midway rides with my cousins when she had the chance, eating and the Monday Nigt Grande Parade.
MADISON SCHROEDER
Age: 16.
Parents and Siblings: Kevien and Sandy Schroeder are her mom and dad. She has three older brothers and a couple sister-in-law, Adam (Brittany) Myers, Tyler Myers and Matthew (Casey) Myers – along with four nephews.
School: Mountain Lake Public.
In-School Activities: Cross Country Manager, Senior High Band, Senior High Choir, Senior High Student Council, FFA, National Honor Society and LINKUp.
Out-Of-School Activities: Church Band and Church Youth Group Community Service.
Employment: NA.
Hobbies: Playing piano, spending quality time with my family and friends and fishing.
Future Plans: Undecided as to which college/university to attend, but plans on becoming a physician’s assistant in dermatology or pediatrics.
Talent: Piano selection.
Pageant Sponsor: Balzer Incorporated.
Favorite Pow Wow Memory(ies): Getting to watch last year’s Monday Night Grande Parade with my nephews.
JEWEL SOUTTHIVONG
Age: 17.
Parents and Siblings: Toun and Lori Soutthivong are Jewel’s mom and dad. She has two older sisters – and an older brother-in-law – Lounnee and Daniel Minor and Brianna Soutthviong.
School: Mountain Lake Public.
In-School Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Senior High Choir and FFA.
Out-Of-School Activities: J O Volleyball, Youth Group, Worship Team.
Employment: Casey’s General Store in Mountain Lake.
Hobbies: Any team sports, running, fishing, spending time iwth loved ones watching the television shows, “Friends.”
Future Plans: Go to college/university and become very successful.
Talent: Vocal solo.
Pageant Sponsor: Triumph State Bank-Darfur.
Favorite Pow Wow Memory(ies): Winning goldfish at the Midway carnival game booth with my cousin, Karen Soutthivong.
