News Release

There are 18 girls competing for the title of the 2023 Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes. The pageant will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24, in the North Webster Community Center’s gymnasium.

Contestants

Gwendolyn Frank, North Webster, daughter of Chris and Rhonda Frank, is Miss Center Lake. She is sponsored by Clayton Garden Center.

Zaylee Guy, North Webster, daughter of Ben and Elise Guy, is Miss Webster Lake. She is sponsored by Guy’s Lawn Care Inc.

Bri McBrier, Rochester, daughter of Beth and Brandon McBrier, is Miss Yellow Creek Lake. She is sponsored by Splendor Boats.

Kylie Perkins, Warsaw, daughter of Jenny Perkins, is Miss Kuhn Lake. She is sponsored by Ace Hardware.

Gabryal Faurote, Pierceton, daughter of Tim and Rachel Faurote, is Miss Dewart Lake. She is sponsored by LeeAnn Stewart School of Dance, Syracuse.

Chloe Bollinger, South Whitley, daughter of Rick and Melissa Bollinger, is Miss Camelot Lake. She is sponsored by Pierceton Masonic Lodge 377.

Emily McDonald, North Webster, daughter of Jaime Ervin, is Miss Winona Lake. She is sponsored by Toyota of Warsaw.

Reagan Nichols, North Webster, daughter of Brian and Tressa Nichols, is Miss Barbee Lake. She is sponsored by Bourbon Street Pizza.

Trinity Roberson, North Webster, daughter of Jacob and Nichol Roberson, is Miss Ridinger Lake. She is sponsored by Tippecanoe Township.

Abigayle Conner, North Webster, daughter of Cindy Conner, is Miss Tippecanoe Lake. She is sponsored by Alpha Building Center.

Rachel Studebaker, Syracuse, daughter of Laura Studebaker, is Miss Wawasee Lake. She is sponsored by 3D Liquid Graphics, North Webster.

Janna Teusch, Huntington, daughter of Kristine and David Teusch, is Miss Sechrist Lake. She is sponsored by Jill and Jennifer’s Salon.

Alexis Stump, Syracuse, daughter of Kerri Hartman, is Miss Little Tippy Lake. She is sponsored by My Red Moon Antiques & Collectables.

Ella Collins, Warsaw, daughter of Melissa Collins, is Miss Chapman Lake. She is sponsored by Remax Lakes Reality-The Mark Skibowski Team.

Allyssa Perkins, Warsaw, daughter of Jenny Perkins, is Miss Diamond Lake. She is sponsored by Sock’s Marina.

Jaela Faulkner, Bourbon, daughter of Joel and Justina Faulkner, is Miss Hoffman Lake. She is sponsored by the Bourbon Lions Club.

Anna Shock, North Webster, daughter of Mike and Kelly Shock, is Miss Shock Lake. She is sponsored by Bart’s Water Ski Center.

Kendell Jaress, Syracuse, daughter of Aaron and Amber Jaress, is Miss Syracuse Lake. She is sponsored by Jaress Family Dentistry.

The pageant is sponsored by the North Webster Lady Lions and Lions Club and Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation.

Queen of Lakes contestants are required to take part in the Mermaid Festival Parade, interviews, theme wear and formal gown competition. For the parade the girls provide their own transportation and their float is judged for prize money. The interview portion of the event is held the morning before the parade and pageant. Each contestant will meet individually with the judges in a panel-style interview to give insight into their ability to communicate.

During the theme wear portion, the candidates create an outfit and containers to collect money for their cause, which is all based on this years theme, “Life is Better in North Webster.” The contestant who raises the most money gets to keep half and gives the rest to the Lady Lions to support local projects.

The girls also spend a day together getting to know each other. A Miss Congeniality is given to the contestant who gets the most votes among the group for their ability to be friendly, willing to help others and considerate.

The evening gown competition brings an elegant touch to the pageant as each contestant wears their own unique gown.

The final challenge of the pageant is the final question. The four finalists are individually asked the same question.

The $5,000 scholarship money, provided by Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Inc., will be dived among the contestant selected as queen and the three runners-up. The foundation will also present additional scholarship money ranging between $250 and $750 and will be won by those placing first, second and third in the queen’s conveyance parade contest.

The North Webster Lady Lions will present a cash prize of $100 to the recipient of the community service award.

Editor’s Note: The contestant photos were provided by Corie Strong Photography.