Summer sizzles for 13 Junior Miss contestants

2004 Moses Lake Junior Miss to be crowned Saturday evening

Thirteen contestants will set the stage aflame — or at least bring it to a low burn — on Saturday night as they vie for the title of Junior Miss 2004.

The competition will be exciting as a larger than usual number of contestants are participating in this year's event. The evening is sure to live up to this year's theme, Summer Sizzle, as the young women show off their talent, energy and poise.

As well as the title, Junior Miss is the official youth ambassador for Moses Lake and receives a scholarship for future endeavors.

The young women are judged in talent, fitness, poise, interview and scholastic achievement. The program's focus is to recognize, reward and encourage excellence among young women, particularly in scholastic achievement by awarding scholarships.

The Moses Lake Junior Miss competition will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at the Moses Lake High School theater. Tickets are $12 and are available at the UPS Store, from the contestants or call 765-9704 or 762-2273 for tickets or information.

Melinda Sylvester is the daughter of Barbara and Calvin Sylvester. She is a member of the honor society, chamber choir, speech and debate clubs and has won several awards in debate and speech competition. She has volunteered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Moses lake Women's Club. She enjoys crocheting, mountain biking and of course, "singing in the shower." She will sing Daunza Daunza Fancuilla Gentile, by Francesco Durtante for her talent presentation. Melinda plans to attend college and major in either music or law.

Stephanie Brown enjoys swimming, babysitting, playing the piano and hanging out with friends in her spare time. She is a member of the swim and drill teams at Moses Lake High School and a member of the Key Club, as well. She has helped with several community projects at her church. Her talent presentation will be a piano piece, Remember When. Stephanie is the daughter of Marcia and Russel Brown and plans a career in business management and marketing.

Brittany Thomas, an aspiring singer, is the daughter of Ginger and Roy Thomas. She is involved in drama, floral and fashion design, as well as Wee Chiefs, a preschool program at Moses Lake High School. She volunteers her time at Youth Dynamics, a church teen place in town. Besides Karokee, singing and dancing, she designs clothes. She will sing What Dreams are Made Of for her talent presentation. Brittany plans to be a singer or study fashion design.

Colleen Ochocinski is the daughter of Debbie and Mark Essex. She is a member of the drill team, choir and is the junior class treasurer. Other than tutoring elementary students, she volunteers at Florist in the Garden and sings at local retirement homes. Colleen enjoys expressing herself through music, as well as skiing, hiking and dancing. Her talent presentation will be a hip-hop dance to the music Tell Me. Colleen plans to study corporate law or music.

Kurrin Nichole Roe volunteers her time to the Youth Partnership Task Force, the Celebrate Kids and Families Festival and Family Services of Grant County. She is a member of Key Club, the National Honor Society, and plays basketball and golf. She also enjoys singing, painting ceramics, jet skiing and spending time with friends and family. She will sing We Can Make a Difference for her talent presentation. Kurrin is the daughter of Debbie and Ken Roe. She plans to be a primary education teacher.

Ashlie Smith is the daughter of Kathi and Ray Smith. She is a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, participates in diving, tennis and is a top scorer for Math is Cool. She enjoys reading, swimming, boating and writing poems. She has volunteered in citywide cleanups and is involved in her church youth group. She will play Norwegian Wood on the flute for her talent presentation. She plans to be a psychiatrist.

Naomi Talbot, the daughter of Steve and Gayle Talbot, enjoys ballet, writing, cheerleading and playing the piano, as well as just hanging out with friends. She is the varsity cheerleading captain and involved in varsity volleyball. She is also on the honor roll. She belongs to her church youth group and drama team and volunteers with the National Downs Syndrome Society, specifically in the buddy walk. Her talent presentation will be a ballet piece, the Fan Dance from Don Quixote. She plans to be a ballet teacher and writer.

Tia Skaug enjoys singing, collecting postcards and drawing. She is involved in choir, volleyball, speech and debate and swimming. She volunteers at Youth Dynamics and is a worship leader in her church's youth group and is a member of the church drama team. Her will sing I Will Survive for her talent presentation. She plans to study singing or drawing. She is the daughter of Yvonne and David Skaug.

Santana Stockman is a varsity swimmer and wind ensemble. She is involved in her church youth group and a nursery helper. She enjoys reading, swimming, crafts and working with animals. As well as church involvement, she volunteers at Broadway Animal Hospital and at homeless shelters. She mows lawns for senior citizens and volunteers at the fair. She will play Sonatina Op. 88, No. 3 on the piano, by Friedrich Kuhlau for her talent presentation. She is the daughter of Dona and Art Stockman. She plans to go into the medical field.

Claire Goodrich is the daughter of Brenda and Ken Goodrich. She is a member of the Key Club, TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use), swim team, drill team and the UNK crew (commissioner). She is also involved in 4-H and is a church youth group officer. She has been a lifeguard for two years. She loves food and cooking, scrap-booking, dancing, traveling and shopping. Her talent presentation will be a clogging dance to Cuban Pete. She plans a career in travel and tourism.

Rebecca Martinez has volunteered for the Moses Lake Boys and Girls Club summer program and for the Warden School District summer school program. She is active in her church choir and youth group. She enjoys singing, ballet and jazz and plays soccer through the parks and recreation department programs. She will sing The Greatest Love of All for her talent presentation. She is the daughter of Deanna Ledeboer. She plans to pursue a a career in law.

Alexis Curtright enjoys reading, jogging with her dog and playing the trumpet. She is a member of Skyline 4-H, her church youth group and participated in the cancer walk in 2003. She has competed in Science Olympiad regional and state competitions, track, diving and is a member of the Key Club. She will play Orientale on the trumpet for her talent presentation. She is the daughter of Paula and Larry Curtright. She plans a career in healthcare.

Jessica Adele Lucas is the daughter of Guy Reynolds, Lisa Lucas and Paul Lucas. She has participated in link crew, soccer, tennis, school musicals and has been ranked first in U.S. history and independent photography. she has worked with ESL students in communication at Warden elementary schools and has volunteered with Key Club, Kiwanis and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys serving the community, singing, photography and snowboarding. She will sing Chim Chim Cher'ee for her talent presentations. She plans to be an interior designer and photographer.