Seven beauties vie for Miss Onaway title
The Miss Onaway pageant will be held in the Onaway High School gymnasium starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24.
All the contestants are 2005 graduates with the exception of Lindsey Wright who will be a senior next year. The other young women in the show are Kitara Allcorn, Amber Anderson, Beth Couture, Lilli Merchant, Debra Osantowski, and Alisha Thompson.
Amber Anderson, 18, is the daughter of Tony and Ann Brown. She will attend Alpena Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in business management. Amber will be performing an original dance routine to C&C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat” for her talent.
She is sponsored by Prow’s Auto Repair, Sally’s Hairstyling and VFW Post 5857.
Lillian Abby Merchant, 18, is the daughter of Charles Merchant. She will attend Northwood University in the fall to pursue a degree in business. Lilli will be performing an original comedic skit entitled “Five Steps to Winning a Beauty Pageant” for her talent.
She is sponsored by Chagnon Funeral Home, Great Northern Drug and Pine Lumber Co.
Lindsey Ann Wright, 17, is the daughter of Steve and Claudia Wright. She plans to attend college after high school to work with mentally handicapped children or become an obstetrician. Lindsey will be performing an original funk/disco dance for her talent.
She is sponsored by Aurora Gas Co. and Manzana’s Deli.
Alisha Lynn Thompson,17, is the daughter of John and Donna Thompson. She will attend North Central Michigan College in the fall to pursue a degree in marital psychology. Alisha will be singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” for her talent.
She is sponsored by Brewbaker’s Furniture Bethany Tean Couture, 18, is the daughter of Brad Couture and Matt and Terri Lukshaitis. She plans to attend North Central Michigan College in the fall to pursue a career in marketing. Beth will be performing an original stand-up comedy routine for her talent.
She is sponsored by Hobson Electric and Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative.
Kitara Harmony Allcorn, 17, is the daughter of Patricia Schultz and granddaughter of Gerald and Dianne Michael. She will attend Alpena Community College in the fall. Kitara will be reciting Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” for her talent.
She is sponsored by Dan Dougherty of State Wide Real Estate.
Debra Ann Osantowski, 17, is the daughter of Martin and Ann Osantowski. She will attend North Central Michigan College in the fall to pursue a degree in natural resources and agriscience. Debra will be performing the flute solo, “Largo and Allegro,” for her talent.
She is sponsored by Tom’s IGA.
Pageant director Kim Wregglesworth said t
The opening number, “My Strongest Suit,” features all seven contestants in the Broadway number written by Elton John and Tim Rice for the play “Aida.” The play is based on the opera by the same name written by Giuseppe Verdi and premiered in Cairo, Egypt in 1871.
Miss Onaway 2004, Autumn Chessnutt, will perform a number from the musical “Chicago” next.
Each of the contestants will have a seven to ten minute interview with the judges during the day prior to the pageant.
Following the pageant will be the “Afterglow” queen’s reception catered by Manzana’s restaurant.