Miss Beloit crown passes to Siekierski
By Rebekah Danaher
Beloit Daily News staff writer
Staff photo by Kyle R. Morris
Miss Beloit 2006, Sara Siekierski, was crowned Saturday night by 2005 winner Kayleigh Brancamp during the Miss Beloit pageant held at Beloit Memorial High School.
The 2006 Miss Beloit Pageant theme was “a little bit country, a little bit rock'n roll,” but Saturday night, Sara Siekierski was every bit royalty.
The annual pageant began with the contestants in cowboy hats, and in the end it was Siekierski who wore the Miss Beloit crown.
A visibly stunned Siekierski threw her hands over her face as Miss Beloit 2005 Kayleigh Brancamp pinned on the tiara. The sophomore at University of Wisconsin - Rock County was already glowing, just having been named Miss Congeniality along with fellow contestant Sha-Nita Rhea.
As the lights dimmed and fans filed out of the Beloit Memorial High School Theater, Siekierski was surrounded by the 10 other young women contestants, all graciously offering their hugs and congratulations.
I'm in shock,” she gasped. “I'm so happy.”
The talent during the night had ranged from gymnastic tumbles to vocal solos and Siekierski acknowledged she was up against a lot of accomplished women.
“The competition was just excellent,” she said.
After an opening performance of the National Anthem by Miss Beloit Pageant President Eddie Farr and a welcome from emcee Gregory Bridges, the Miss Beloit contestants performed an ensemble dance number - a mix of country line dancing and rock ‘n roll swing.
Then it was on to the competition when the ladies exhibited their swim wear and then changed for the talent portion of the contest.
Fans in the packed auditorium encouraged them with cheers. Contestant Brittany Andrews' younger brother, Max, wore a shirt that read “good luck sissy,” and her best friend Nicole Oates was confident she would do well.
Vickie Cole was at the pageant to support her niece, Sha-Nita Rhea, and her cousin, Darneeshia Lana'e McShan.
“I'm rootin' for everybody,” she laughed.
Farr, who worked with the women in preparation for the big night, was perhaps the proudest.
“It was a lot of work, but I was willing to do it,” he said, adding that the girls were “absolutely wonderful” to work with.
“They got along very well,” he said.
Siekierski sang “On My Own,” from the musical drama Les Miserables. Shontia Croft performed a theatrical solo selection from “Miss Celie's Blues.” Jaimie Goecks performed a dramatic monologue excerpted from “Our Town.” Naomi Martindale demonstrated cheerleading. Michelle Belke tap danced to “Mambo No. 5.” Darneeshia McShan sang “The One I Gave My Heart To.” Sha-Nita Rhea sang “Reflection.” Lindy Treptow performed “Amazing Grace” on the clarinet. Brittany Andrews did a gymnastic routine. LaFonda Richardson performed a hip-hop number. Portia Hunter recited the poem “Phenomenal Woman.”
The women then reappeared in their radiant evening gowns to answer questions about their advocacy platforms. They mentioned such issues as teen pregnancy, violence, cancer research and animal abuse.
Siekierski's platform is prevention of underage drinking - a stance she will develop for the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June.
Saturday's contest was punctuated by appearances from other Wisconsin royalty, including, among others, Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, who performed two piano solos and Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen, Tonya Popowski, who gave a baton twirling performance. A few former Miss Beloits, including Miss Beloit 2004 Megan Hendee, also crossed the stage.
Brancamp sang two solos and then gave her farewell, in which she reflected upon her experience at the Miss Wisconsin pageant and thanked Beloit for a great year as its queen.
A troupe of future Miss Beloits from Rising Star Dance Studio performed to “I Believe.”
The evening culminated in the crowing of the winner. Bridges reminded all of the young women of their worth and accomplishments, saying they were all winners that night.
The fourth runner up was Belke; third runner up was Rhea, second runner up was Richardson and first runner up was Treptow.
Andrews won the award for most ads sold for the pageant's brochure. Belke won an award for most pageant tickets sold. The Billy Amundsen Scholarship, sponsored by Bryden Motors and Miss Beloit 1990 and former Miss Wisconsin Stephanie Klett, went to Treptow.
The $200 talent award went to Siekierski; the non-finalist talent award went to Hunter and Andrews; the non-finalist interview award went to Hunter; the lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit award went to Treptow; the chairman's award Goecks.
As young women were whisked away to the coronation ceremony, Siekierski's supporters were glowing with pride.
Parents Mark and Sue Siekierski and Sara's brother Dan were accompanied by aunts and uncles and others in cheering for her.
“I'm crying, I'm happy,” Sue said. “This is just a (great) year for her.”
By Rebekah Danaher
Beloit Daily News staff writer
Staff photo by Kyle R. Morris
Miss Beloit 2006, Sara Siekierski, was crowned Saturday night by 2005 winner Kayleigh Brancamp during the Miss Beloit pageant held at Beloit Memorial High School.
The 2006 Miss Beloit Pageant theme was “a little bit country, a little bit rock'n roll,” but Saturday night, Sara Siekierski was every bit royalty.
The annual pageant began with the contestants in cowboy hats, and in the end it was Siekierski who wore the Miss Beloit crown.
A visibly stunned Siekierski threw her hands over her face as Miss Beloit 2005 Kayleigh Brancamp pinned on the tiara. The sophomore at University of Wisconsin - Rock County was already glowing, just having been named Miss Congeniality along with fellow contestant Sha-Nita Rhea.
As the lights dimmed and fans filed out of the Beloit Memorial High School Theater, Siekierski was surrounded by the 10 other young women contestants, all graciously offering their hugs and congratulations.
I'm in shock,” she gasped. “I'm so happy.”
The talent during the night had ranged from gymnastic tumbles to vocal solos and Siekierski acknowledged she was up against a lot of accomplished women.
“The competition was just excellent,” she said.
After an opening performance of the National Anthem by Miss Beloit Pageant President Eddie Farr and a welcome from emcee Gregory Bridges, the Miss Beloit contestants performed an ensemble dance number - a mix of country line dancing and rock ‘n roll swing.
Then it was on to the competition when the ladies exhibited their swim wear and then changed for the talent portion of the contest.
Fans in the packed auditorium encouraged them with cheers. Contestant Brittany Andrews' younger brother, Max, wore a shirt that read “good luck sissy,” and her best friend Nicole Oates was confident she would do well.
Vickie Cole was at the pageant to support her niece, Sha-Nita Rhea, and her cousin, Darneeshia Lana'e McShan.
“I'm rootin' for everybody,” she laughed.
Farr, who worked with the women in preparation for the big night, was perhaps the proudest.
“It was a lot of work, but I was willing to do it,” he said, adding that the girls were “absolutely wonderful” to work with.
“They got along very well,” he said.
Siekierski sang “On My Own,” from the musical drama Les Miserables. Shontia Croft performed a theatrical solo selection from “Miss Celie's Blues.” Jaimie Goecks performed a dramatic monologue excerpted from “Our Town.” Naomi Martindale demonstrated cheerleading. Michelle Belke tap danced to “Mambo No. 5.” Darneeshia McShan sang “The One I Gave My Heart To.” Sha-Nita Rhea sang “Reflection.” Lindy Treptow performed “Amazing Grace” on the clarinet. Brittany Andrews did a gymnastic routine. LaFonda Richardson performed a hip-hop number. Portia Hunter recited the poem “Phenomenal Woman.”
The women then reappeared in their radiant evening gowns to answer questions about their advocacy platforms. They mentioned such issues as teen pregnancy, violence, cancer research and animal abuse.
Siekierski's platform is prevention of underage drinking - a stance she will develop for the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June.
Saturday's contest was punctuated by appearances from other Wisconsin royalty, including, among others, Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, who performed two piano solos and Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen, Tonya Popowski, who gave a baton twirling performance. A few former Miss Beloits, including Miss Beloit 2004 Megan Hendee, also crossed the stage.
Brancamp sang two solos and then gave her farewell, in which she reflected upon her experience at the Miss Wisconsin pageant and thanked Beloit for a great year as its queen.
A troupe of future Miss Beloits from Rising Star Dance Studio performed to “I Believe.”
The evening culminated in the crowing of the winner. Bridges reminded all of the young women of their worth and accomplishments, saying they were all winners that night.
The fourth runner up was Belke; third runner up was Rhea, second runner up was Richardson and first runner up was Treptow.
Andrews won the award for most ads sold for the pageant's brochure. Belke won an award for most pageant tickets sold. The Billy Amundsen Scholarship, sponsored by Bryden Motors and Miss Beloit 1990 and former Miss Wisconsin Stephanie Klett, went to Treptow.
The $200 talent award went to Siekierski; the non-finalist talent award went to Hunter and Andrews; the non-finalist interview award went to Hunter; the lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit award went to Treptow; the chairman's award Goecks.
As young women were whisked away to the coronation ceremony, Siekierski's supporters were glowing with pride.
Parents Mark and Sue Siekierski and Sara's brother Dan were accompanied by aunts and uncles and others in cheering for her.
“I'm crying, I'm happy,” Sue said. “This is just a (great) year for her.”
posted by Sara Siekierski @ 7:10 PM
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