Outgoing Miss Kalkaska Chelsea Hill shares a few words with her successor, Ashley Babcock. Photo by Sharyn Susinko

2006 winners, Miss Kalkaska, Chelsea Hill, and Miss Outstanding Kalkaska Teen, Catherine Belcher emceed the evening, providing introductions, short stories during stage changes, and emotional farewells at the end of the evening. Their excellence of their presentation was a testimonial to the growth both experienced during their 2006 reign.

The evening began with introductions of the 2007 pageant contestants and a spectacular opening number performed by all of the contestants. Emcees Hill and Belcher introduced the judges and auditors, thanking them for volunteering time and excellence. They explained the judging process; contestants competed in four categories; talent (30 percent), interview (40 percent), modeling (15 percent), and onstage personality in evening wear (15 percent).

The Little Miss Kalkaska (ages 6 to 8) talent competition began with Aleeghan Kennedi Nason, who perÒAngelsÓ by Jessica Simpson. Katie Elisabeth Honenicke was next with a tap dance, ÒYouÕre Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,Ó from Annie. Hazelin Leituau Tagovialoa sang ÒJesus Take The Wheel,Ó followed by Alyssa Jean Keaton, performing a gymnastics routine to ÒReady for This.Ó

Next was the Pre-Teen (ages 9 to 12) talent. Hailee Rae Sexton performed a tap dance to ÒDueling Banjos,Ó followed by Emily Elizabeth GondolÕs ballet dance to ÒMy Wish.Ó Paige Louise Waterman sang, ÒIÕm Proud To Be An AmericanÓ among photos of relatives who are in the military. Emily Caris Birgy tap danced to ÒBop to the Top.Ó Taylor Raye Birgy hip-hopped to ÒRumors.Ó

Alesha Marie Bartlett was first of four contestants for Miss Kalkaska Teen (age 12 Ð 14). She sang ÒBig and LoudÓ from Cats DonÕt Dance. Allison Faith Sinkler then played flute to ÒCalgary March.Ó Eden Rain Elkins sang ÒThe Broken Road,Ó followed by Heidi Lynn BellÕs Celtic dance to ÒAltan.Ó Two teens, Jamie Lee Patton and Jennifer Lynn Pierce, competed for Miss Kalkaska Outstanding Teen (age 15 to 16). Patton played ÒArioso,Ó by Johann Sebastian Bach. Pierce performed a Celtic dance to the ÒIrish Jig.Ó

The four contestants for Miss Kalkaska (ages 17 to 20) performed next. Madison Rachel Bartlett played ÒSeasonsÓ on the piano accompanied by a slide show of her photography. Kaley Jane Babcock tap danced to ÒCotton Eye Joe,Ó in western attire. Whitney Camille Duque played BeethovenÕs ÒFur Elise.Ó Jessica Lynn Muma, sang ÒOrange Colored Sky.Ó

Following intermission, Belcher and Hill recognized former visiting Miss Kalkaska queens. Each contestant then returned to the stage modeling a favorite look. Tiny Tots, Brynn Alysse Rowell, Olivia Lauren Azar, Kylie Lynn-Marie Braam, Skye Lea Martin Fitch, and Alison Meredith Luck strutted across the stage with pride, modeling their favorite color. Each Tiny Tot took the mike and introduced herself.

During the transition to the next program phase, Chelsea Hill danced her last performance as Miss Kalkaska, 2006. She dedicated her dance to her mentor, Valerie Hayes.

Next were evening gowns and platform questions. Each girl walked the stage demonstrating poise, confidence, and personality. Each contestant for Miss Kalkaska Teen, Outstanding Teen and Miss Kalkaska adopted a Òplatform,Ó a social or health issue they would promote if they won a crown.

Alesha Bartlett wants to help children grow through theater experiences. Addison SinklerÕs shared an experience helping beggars that led her to a platform on world hunger. Eden Elkins advocated for wheelchair accessibility and alternative sports options in the schools. Heidi Bell spoke of her admiration for her 4th grade teacher who inspired her. Jaime Patton wants to raise awareness of synasthesia, a disorder involving confusion of the senses. Jennifer Pierce spoke of Òpaying it forward,Ó doing a single good deed for three people, who then extend their good deed to three others.

Madison Bartlett embraces life by viewing challenges as opportunities. Kaley Jane Babcock promotes teen health awareness. ÒI want to be a boost in a teenÕs life,Ó she said, Whitney Duque wants to increase awareness of multiple sclerosis and Jessica Muma supports an Òadopt a grandparentÓ program.

Before announcing the 2007 winners, the 2006 Court gave their final performances. Little Miss Kalkaska, Taylor Arin Cummings danced to an energetic ÒWhy Not.Ó Miss Pre-Teen Kalkaska, Alisyn Michelle Hendricks danced to ÒJailhouse Rock,Ó and Outstanding Teen, Catherine Belcher, sang ÒIf I AinÕt Got You.Ó The Court then convened at the podium to give their farewell speeches. Each gave anecdotes of experiences with Tiny Tot, Hanna Renee Spencer, whom they characterized as full of energy, boundless, and a joy. Each shared experiences, which they described as Òlife-changing.Ó

Hill shared a story of a little girl who pointed to her and said, ÒItÕs a princess!Ó ÒMy crown didnÕt make me feel more of a princess than a baseball cap would, but that little girl did,Ó she said. As the curtain opened for the last time, the entire ensemble was assembled on stage. Each contestant received an award for a special quality they brought to the contest. Awards ranged from ÒPrettiest EyesÓ to ÒCute as a Button.Ó Kaley Jane Babcock received the award for ÒMiss Congeniality.Ó Heidi Lynn Bell was named ÒPeopleÕs Choice.Ó Aleeghan Kennedi Nason was received the ÒOverall TalentÓ award.

The new 2007 Miss Kalkaska Court was announced: ÒMiss Tiny TotÓ is Skye Lea Martin Fitch. Alison Meredith Luck is Runner-up. ÒLittle Miss KalkaskaÓ is Aleeghan Kennedi Nason. Katie Elisabeth Honenicke is Runner-up. ÒLittle Miss Kalkaska Pre-TeenÓ is Emily Caris Birgy. Haley Rae Sexton is Runner-up. ÒMiss Kalkaska TeenÓ is Eden Rain Elkins. Alesha Marie Bartlett is Runner-up. ÒMiss Kalkaska Outstanding TeenÓ is Jennifer Lynn Pierce. Jamie Lea Patton is Runner-up. ÒMiss Kalkaska,Ó Kaley Jane Babcock knelt down to accept her crown from outgoing Queen Hill. Madison Rachel Bartlett is Runner-up.

After the show, many contestants had positive comments about their experience in the Pageant.

ÒIt boosted my confidence. The girls are great. Girls should be part of this. It will help them in the future,Ó said Eden Rain Elkins. ÒThe pageant was such a wonderful experience. It helps you grow,Ó Madison Bartlett said. Sister, Alesha Bartlett said, ÒI had a wonderful time. The girls are fantastic.Ó

The show ran smoothly because of the many volunteers who helped backstage, including sound, which was provided by Andrew Babcock. Pageant Director, Lisa Cummings asked that the many Kalkaska businesses that gave donations to the pageant be acknowledged. ÒIÕm always so impressed with the support the pageant receives. We wouldnÕt be able to do it without them.Ó Cummings said. ÒI would like to add that Kim and I truly enjoyed working with such a great group of girls. The parents of these girls should be very proud of them. They are all winners in our eyes!Ó she said. Cummings said the girls were touched by the number of people in the auditorium.