Seven young women are competing in the first Miss I-500 beauty pageant, to take place Friday, February 3, at 6 p.m. Contestants are Kassandra Rader, Emily Selzke, Grace DeYoung, Marcie Rickley, Jacquelyn Komarnizki, Danielle Petingalo, and Abby Bell.

Admission to the pageant is free and each contestant will have a jar with her photograph and name in which audience members can place donations. The amount in each jar will be tallied at the end of the pageant and the young woman with the most in her jar will win the audience choice award.

All proceeds from the jars will be added together and donated to the Pink Ribbon Riders. The group is a snowmobile club and nonprofit organization based in Battle Creek that provides financial assistance to people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pink Ribbon Riders will select someone diagnosed with breast cancer in Chippewa County and present the funds raised in the form of gift cards on the I-500 track Saturday, February 4. The gift cards will help with travel expenses during medical treatment.

The Miss I-500 queen will be responsible for promoting the 500- mile snowmobile race throughout the year.

Contestants will compete in four judging rounds. First, they will meet with the judges in a closed interview session. They will be asked questions about themselves, their hobbies and interests, future plans, and how they plan to promote the I- 500 if crowned queen.

Then, there will be an introduction and fashion show. The contestants will wear either a costume or uniform that reflects their personality or hobbies.

Third will be the talent show in which the young women will have three minutes to perform. Last, the competitors will model floor-length evening gowns.

First place will be crowned queen and given a sash. Second and third place contestants will be crowned princesses and given sashes, as well. There will be trophies for Miss Photogenic, audience choice, best talent, and best evening gown.

Contestants

Kassandra Rader
From: St. Ignace
School: Bay Mills Community
College
Sponsor: Clyde’s Drive-In
Talent: Singing

Emily Selzke
From: DeWitt
School: DeWitt High School
Sponsor: Pro-5 Racing

Talent: Stand-up comedy

Grace DeYoung
From: Rudyard
School: Baker College
Sponsor: Lock City Home Center Talent: Flute

Marcie Rickley
From: Cedarville
School: Lake Superior State University Sponsor: Dunn Racing
Talent: Public speaking

Jacquelyn Komarnizki
From: Sault Ste. Marie
School: Penn Foster High School
Sponsor: Central Savings Bank
Talent: Singing and playing guitar

Danielle Petingalo
From: Pickford
School: Rudyard High School
Sponsors: VFW Post 3676 and
Main Street Café
Talent: Singing

Abby Bell
From: Sault Ste. Marie
School: Maplewood Baptist
Academy
Sponsor: Bell’s Dairy Farm
Talent: Reciting poetry