Pageant to crown talented scholar

COLUMBUS - Thirteen young women will soon be dancing and singing under the bright lights.

Each one will have their chance to shine at the 2003 Miss Columbus Scholarship Pageant.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Nantkes Performing Arts Center at Columbus High School, 2200 26th St.

Winner of the event will be offered a $1,500 cash scholarship to the college of her choice, a fall tuition scholarship to Central Community College-Columbus, a photo sitting with Jim Frieze Photography, a trophy, a crown, flowers and a gift.

The first, second and third runner-up contestants will also get scholarships. First place will get a $600 cash scholarship, second a $400 cash scholarship, and third a $200 cash scholarship.

There will be two separate $100 cash scholarships to two non-finalists. The two competitors who score the highest scores in the talent and interview portions will each receive one. In addition, community service awards will be given out to two competitors. The first-place winner will get a $200 cash scholarship and the second a $100 cash scholarship.

Each contestant will take part in a talent, evening wear and swim wear competition. They will also take part in a 12-minute interview.

Six out-of-town judges will rate the contestants in each category and combined with an overall composite score, will determine the winner. The interview and talent portion count for 40 percent and 30 percent respectively, of the overall score and the three other categories count for a combined 30 percent.

Tickets for the event are $8 and are available at the Penny's Floral, First National Bank, Kelly Jewelry, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce or at the door. Part of the evening will include a silent auction of items donated from local businesses, and a raffle. Raffle tickets are available and the winner can choose from two prizes, either an autographed Sammy Sosa baseball or a dance scholarship to Lynette's Dance Studio.

The franchise sponsor for the event is Mike's Auto Sales.

The contestants include:

Autumn McBride, 17, a senior at Columbus High School. She is the daughter of Doug and Ruth Heule. She will have a vocal performance for her talent. Her platform issue is awareness and prevention of underage drinking and drug usage. This is the first pageant for McBride.

Nikki Souders, 19, a sophomore pre-pharmacy student at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The former 2002 Miss Columbus contestant will perform a tap dance to an oldies mix. Her platform issue is promoting involvement with special needs children. Souders is the daughter of Scott and Pam Souders.

Chrystal DeNio, 20, a music education student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, is the daughter of Doug and Judy DeNio. She has taken part in several pageants including Miss Columbus in 2001 and 2002. She was the third runner-up in 2001 and the first runner-up in 2003 at the Miss Lake McConaughy Pageant and took part in the 2003 Miss Metro Pageant and Miss Great Plains/Western Nebraska Pageant. She will perform a vocal solo for her talent. Her platform issue is mentoring.

Abbi Groteluschen, 18, a sophomore advertising student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is the daughter of Dwayne and Cindy Groteluschen and will perform a dance to "Proud Mary." Her platform issue is supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has had no previous pageant experience.

Charlene Faltys, 18, a freshman pre-professional student at Wayne State University, will sing "Colors of the Wind." Her platform issue is influencing youth to stay involved in their religion. Faltys is the daughter of John Faltys and Lezlee Ciesinski. She has no previous pageant experience.

Shyla Kemp, 18, a freshman acting/music student at Central Community College-Columbus, will perform a jazz dance titled "Fly." Her platform issue is teaching children style. Kemp is the daughter of Loren and Sherry Kemp. She has previously participated in Miss Pre-Teen Nebraska.

Valerie Goering, 18, is a freshman pre-law/political science student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Goering is the daughter of Eugene and Kim Goering. She will perform a vocal titled "It's Your Song." Her platform issue is upholding our constitution, our freedom is our responsibility. This is her first pageant experience.

Jenny Krzycki, 19, is a sophomore fine arts student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This will be the third year Krzycki has participated in the Miss Columbus Pageant. She will do a flag routine called "Higher Ground." Her platform issue is putting an end to bullying in schools. She is the daughter of Mike and Norma Krzycki.

Carly Charbonneau, 22, is a senior nursing student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, who was crowned Miss Lincoln 2001. She has also participated in the Miss Nebraska, Miss Omaha, Miss Lincoln, Miss Tri-Cities and Miss Columbus pageants. She will perform a vocal solo called "Orange Colored Sky." Her platform issue is fitness and proper nutrition as a lifestyle. She is the daughter of Guy and Linda Wheatley.

Harmony Rea, 17, is a freshman dance/theater student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Rea is the daughter of Michael and Patricia Rea. She will perform a song and dance to "Don't Ask Me Why?" Her platform issue is the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Rea has had no previous pageant experience.

Amber Lueschen, 18, is a freshman nursing student at Central Community College-Columbus. She will sing for her talent. Her platform issue is helping the elderly in the community. Lueschen is the daughter of Don and Cindy K. Lueschen. She has no previous pageant experience.

Anna Skorupa, 18, is a freshman biology and Spanish student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She will sing for her talent. Her platform issue is dating violence awareness. Skorupa participated in the Miss Columbus Pageant and Miss Tri-Cities in 2002. She is the daughter of Frank and Peggy Skorupa.

Laura Wilke, 18, is a freshman architecture student at Kansas State University, who will perform a pointe dance titled "Crazy Jig." Her platform issue is underage drinking awareness. She is the daughter of Evan and Susan Wilke. She has no other pageant experience.

Reach Julie Blum at 563-7535 or jblum@columbustelegram.com.