16 CANDIDATES WILL COMPETE FOR JACKSON'S `MISS HOMECOMERS'

JACKSON -- Sixteen candidates will compete for the title of "Miss Homecomers" Wednesday night. Theme of this year's pageant is "Queen of Hearts."

The contest will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Kirk Williams serving as master of ceremonies. Vi Keys of Cape Girardeau will provide organ music. Julie Harper of Jackson will perform vocal selections. On-stage entertainment will follow the pageant.

The American Legion Althenthal-Joerns Post 158 of Jackson sponsors the annual contest. Emogene Schnurbush and Betty Hoffmeister are co-chairpersons of this year's event. They are members of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 158.

The queen will be awarded $100. First runner-up wins $75, with $25 going to the second runner-up. The contestants will also select a "Miss Congeniality" among themselves.

The candidates and the towns they represent include:

Jackson: Christi Zschille is the daughter of Steve and Debi Zschille of Jackson. She graduated from Jackson High School in the spring, and plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University this fall, majoring in occupational therapy. School activities include: student council, senior class secretary, yearbook, Junior Rotarian, senior steering committee, pep club class representative, prom committee, Silver Arrow queen candidate, Homecoming candidate and three years on honor roll. She is a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

Jackson: Jacinda Gillham of is the daughter of Robert and Betty Gillham of Route 1 Jackson. She graduated from Jackson High School this spring, and plans to attend Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield in the fall, majoring in international business management. She attends Lighthouse Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. School activities included: FBLA, French club, SADD, Just Say No club, drama club, J-Club, pep club Project alert, prom planning committee, Hi-step program, Junior Rotarian, Elks Student of Month, tennis and basketball teams.

Cape Girardeau: Kim Scherer is the daughter of Dennis and Sharon Scherer of 1523 Wayne in Cape Girardeau. She will be a sophomore at Notre Dame High School this fall. Activities include: Pro-life, pep club, French club, and volleyball. She works at Names-n-Things as an artist.

Scott City: Nicole Wadlington is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wadlington of 333 Wheeler in Scott City. She will be a junior at Scott City High School this fall. Her school activities include: pep club, basketball cheerleader, student council, SADD, yearbook staff, Spanish club, honor roll and class president. She is a member of the Clearview Baptist Church youth group, JCPenney Teen Advisory Board, a volunteer at Easter Seals, and an employee at Videos-n-Creme and the Show Me Center. She placed fourth runner-up in the Missouri Miss Teen Pageant in 1991, and was crowned Miss New Hamburg in 1990.

Perryville: Stephany Brush is the daughter of Stephen and Deanna Brush, 312 E. Ste. Maries in Perryville. She will be a junior at Perryville High School this fall, where she is involved in band, drama club, student council, pep club and volleyball. A member of Girls Scouts for nine years, she is also active in her local church youth group.

Oran: Niki Patterson is the daughter of Darline Naile of Oran and Harold Patterson of Advance. She will be a junior at Oran High School in the fall. She is an active member of FBLA, library club and volleyball. She is the reigning Miss Oran.

Old Appleton: Michele L. Abrisz is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Abrisz of Old Appleton. She will be a senior at Oak Ridge High School this fall. School activities include: National Honor Society, honor roll, student council, All-conference and all-district volleyball, softball, cheerleading co-captain, Homecoming queen candidate, softball, pep club, prom committee, band, pep band, marching band majorette, chorus and Spanish club. She was also selected for Who's Who Among American High School students.

Friedhiem: Dana Renee Seabaugh is the daughter of David and Donna Seabaugh of Rt. 7 Perryville. She will be a senior at Oak Ridge High School this fall. She is a member of the Oak Ridge marching band and pep band. She works at the Oak Ridge market. She plays organ in church every Sunday morning.

New Offenburg: Annette Wolk is the daughter of Kenneth and Lorraine Wolk of New Offenburg. She graduated from Valle High School in the spring. School activities included: Stu-Co representative, pep club, class president, and National Honor Society. She was also a track, basketball, and academic team captain as well as a cheerleader. She was named Elks teen of month, Rotary student of the month, and class valedictorian. She is also active in her church youth council. She will attend Lindenwood College in the fall, studying accounting and performing arts.

Morley: Sarah Lynn King is the daughter of Gene and Linda King of Morley. She will be a senior at Scott County Central High School this fall. School activities include: Missouri State Beta club, FHA, district Beta club, student council president, FBLA, SADD, Chieftain and Warrior member and varsity cheerleading. She is active in the church youth group and served as church pianist. She placed second runner-up in the Miss Missouri American Coed contest in Kansas City this year, and fourth runner-up in the Riverfest queen contest this year.

Millersville: Jill Lukefahr is the daughter of Robert and Suzie Lukefahr of Rt. 2 Jackson. She graduated from Jackson High School this spring. School activities included: student council, French club, class vice-president, varsity softball, varsity basketball, National Honor Society, SADD, FBLA, history club, J-Club, Girls State, Junior Rotarian, senior steering committee, scholar athlete award, Silver Arrow Queen candidate, Homecoming Queen candidate, JCPenney Teen Board, and Who's Who Among American High School Students. She attends First Baptist Church in Jackson. She plans to attend University of Missouri-Columbia this fall and major in international business management.

Kelso: Amy Cossou is the daughter of Mike and Connie Cossou of Route 1 Scott City. She graduated from Kelly High School this spring. School activities included: FHA, SADD, pep club, FFA, science club, and foreign language club. She was a member of JCPenney Teen Advisory Board. She received first runner-up in Miss Benton Neighbor Day and third in Miss New Hamburg last year. She attends Clearwater Baptist Church in Scott City, where she is active in the youth group. She is employed at JCPenney.

Gordonville: Casey Dalton is the daughter of Bill and Pam Dalton of Gordonville. She will be a senior at Jackson High School this fall. School activities include: FBLA and SADD. She is president of Christ Lutheran Youth Fellowship at church. She also participated in the 1990 Homecomers Queen contest.

Chaffee: Wendy Wooldridge is the daughter of Mary Wooldridge of Rt. 1 Benton and Ron Wooldridge of Rt. 2 Chaffee. She will be a senior at Kelly High School this fall. School activities include: FHA, science club, beta club, pep club, SADD, student council, honor roll, band and variety track and basketball. She attended Girls State this year. She also entered queen contests at New Hamburg and Kelso Sommerfest this year. Last year, she was second runner-up at Benton Neighbor Days pageant.

Pocahontas: Julie Satter is the daughter of Charlotte Satter of New Wells. She will be a junior at Jackson High School this fall. She taught vacation Bible school this year, and plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University to pursue a career in nursing.

Ste. Genevieve: Sherri Giesler is the daughter of Mrs. Daryl Giesler of Route 1 Ste. Genevieve. She will be a senior at St. Genevieve High School this fall. She has received "A" honors each quarter in school, and was a candidate for Girls State and Valentine Queen. She attended Freedom Forum in Cape Girardeau. She is a member of FHA and a cheerleader.

Hostess: Jessica Piepenbrok, daughter of Jack and Beverly Piepenbrok of 218 N. Georgia in Jackson. She plans to graduate in the fall from Jackson High School, and then attend Murray State University. High school activities include: three-year varsity letterman on Jackson track, SADD, girl's chorus, FHA, choir council and cheerleading.

Hostess: Traci Tuschhoff is the daughter of Leon and Emily Tuschhoff, 1035 Nancy Dr. in Jackson. She will be a senior at Jackson High School this fall. School activities include: varsity cross country, president of SADD chapter, J-Club, Pep Club, Project Hi-Step, and peer tutors. She made the A-honor roll and was selected to attend Missouri Teen Institute and Missouri Girl's State. She is also involved in Job's Daughters and the New McKendree United Methodist Church Youth Group. She was fourth runner up in the Miss Missouri Teen Pageant. Following graduation, she plans to attend Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. as a pre-med major.

Escort: Chris Hutson is the son of Charles P. and Linda Hutson, 1218 Pawnee in Jackson. He will be a senior at Jackson High School this fall. Activities include: Burfordville Baptist Church; Future Business Leaders of America; Boy Scout Troop 311, Order of the Arrow; jazz, marching and symphonic bands, All-district and all-state bands; and Ducks Unlimited. He was also chosen for the 1991 Boys State. Following graduation, he plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University, and major in accounting.

Escort: Darren B. Burgfeld is the son of Lawson and Jude Burgfeld of Rt. 1 Jackson. He will be a senior at Jackson High School this fall. Activities include: drama club; FFA; Spanish Club; and marching, symphonic, pep, jazz and municipal band. He is also a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, serving as president of the youth group; and serves as a 4-H leader. He works as a deejay at KUGT, a local Christian radio station. Burgfeld has been listed in Who's Who Among America's High School Students the past two years. He plans to attend college after graduation, majoring in communications.

Little Miss Homecomer: S

arah Wessel is the daughter of Denny and Jane Wessel of Gordonville, Mo. She will attend kindergarten this fall at Jackson Public Schools. She is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church Sunday School.

Escort for Little Miss Homecomers: Adam Rigdon, 6, is the son of Kim and Karen Rigdon of Jackson. He will be enrolled in the first grade at Immaculate Conception in the fall.

Styles Unlimited and Select-A-Style will style contestants' hair. LaDonia Beggs and Mary Kay Cosmetics will assist with make-up. Precious Moments is providing tuxedos for the escorts. The Greenhouse will provide the flowers. Refreshments are being provided by Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

Additional gifts have been donated by SEMO Sports Specialities, Pioneer Orchard, Mane Attractions, Select-A-Style, JCPenney, Delmonico's, and the Fishing Boat of Jackson.