Tiffany Oliver to reign as 2006 Miss Posen

An evening rich with diverse talent ended with the crowning of Tiffany Oliver as this year?s Miss Posen. Oliver, the daughter of Mark and Jeannine, also captured poise and appearance and the talent award with her dazzling aerosol painting of a sunrise. A camera projected an image of her work-in-progress on a screen, so the audience could see it transform before their eyes. In a matter of minutes the work was complete. She walked the painting to the end of the runway so judges could see the work up close. The first runner-up was Eleisha Perrault who also received the coordination award. Second runner-up was Kristin Stricker. Amanda Novak and Michelle Mulka were co-winners of Miss Congeniality.

?IT WAS SUCH a talented group of girls,? said Oliver, after family, friends and the media took several photographs on the stage. ?I was very, very shocked, but I am very excited for the upcoming year and being able to represent Posen as a community. I am really excited about the festival and being able to represent the community. Hopefully, I will be a shining face for Posen.? The pageant began precisely on time in the Posen High School gym when the spotlight turned to the podium and master of ceremonies Conrad Bruski of country radio station WATZ welcomed the packed house. The lights dimmed and the impressive audio system provided by Rex and Sherry Manning began playing as the contestants started dancing their way through the crowd and onto the stage. Dressed in cowgirl hats, blue jeans, and buttoned, striped and checked shirts, the six young ladies put on a coordinated rendition of the country favorite ?It?s What I Am? by John Michael Montgomery. After the number, Bruski introduced judges Ron Horrocks of Onaway, and Darlene Willman and Valerie Clark, both of Traverse City.

THE TALENT presentations were wide-ranging from musical acts, to singers and comedy. ?It was fun and entertaining all the way around,? said Jan Misiak, who was overseeing her third pageant as director. ?For a small community, I always have been proud of the talent that comes forth. It is so impressive, it makes us so proud and happy.? Kristin Stricker did an energetic dance to the Jennifer Lopez hit ?Let?s Get Loud,? while Michelle Mulka performed a comedy routine called ?Mom Knows Best.? Amanda Novak provided a drum solo called ?The Cire Anthem.? Eleisha Perrault performed a guitar and vocal solo to the song ?Leave the Pieces,? while Melonie Roznowski sang the Terri Clark tune ?Emotional Girl.? After the intermission, the girls were brought on stage for the poise and appearance/evening gown presentation.

BEFORE THE final awards presentation, and during the time the judges made their final determinations, Morgan Suszek dedicated a song to the Rogers City pageant girls in the audience for the pageant. Show choreographer Gingerann Neslund also took t

he stage with a rousing dance performance. Reigning Miss Posen, Amanda Pieczynski, said her final farewell, after receiving a framed portrait. ?This whole year was a lot of fun and even though I am sad to see my reign come to an end, I am happy to know that I will be passing on the title of Miss Posen to a lucky lady.? Near the end of her farewell speech, she stopped for a moment to fight back tears and gave out her final thank you to ?everyone who helped in any way.? A near flawless night had one small bump to get over during the awards presentation as the envelopes containing the award winners got out of order. <

Perrault was named second runner-up before the error was discovered. The sash was given to Stricker and Perrault was announced as the first runner-up. ?Overall, I could not ask for a better show,? said Misiak. ?I thought the show was fabulous. The girls had a great time, and the audience was very receptive to everybody. It was great.?