CONTESTANTS LINE UP FOR RIVERFEST PAGEANT

Thirteen contestants will compete Saturday afternoon in the annual Miss Riverfest Pageant. It will begin at 2 p.m. on the main stage at the corner of Themis and Spanish.

Contestants were chosen from high schools in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Interviews will be conducted at Drury Lodge Saturday morning, prior to the stage presentation, according to Bonnie McCullough, pageant chairman. Contestants will be judged on poise and personality, speaking ability, overall appearance and short interviews.

Miss Riverfest 1994 Jennifer McDowell of Sikeston and Little Miss Riverfest 1994 Kelly Mathews of Scott City will be co-hosts for the pageant.

Capital Bank is this year's sponsor. The bank also provided a $500 savings bond for the winner. Mercantile Bank will provide a $100 saving bond for Miss Congeniality. Other prizes have been donated by Herbst and Company Jewelry, Seiferts, Howards, Pat Patterson Photography, Drury Lodge and Michelson Jewelry.

The contestants include:

McLane Jateff, 16, is the daughter of Bruce and Jana Jateff of Cape Girardeau. She is a sophomore at Cape Central High School. Her school activities include cheerleading, Spanish club, Pep club and honor roll. She is also active in her church youth group, Young Life, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a volunteer for children's church. She plans to attend college and pursue a degree in nursing.

Ashley Nicole Battles, 15, is the daughter of Tony and Elaine Pursell and Terry and Diane Battles. She is a ninth-grader at Dexter High School. Her school activities include cheerleading, student council, track team and Choraliers choir. She plans to attend college and pursue a degree in broadcast journalism.

Angela Hamilton, 15, is the daughter of Sharon and Lewis Hamilton. She is a ninth-grader at Scott City High School, where she is active in FBLA, FTA and FHA. She plans to attend college to earn a nursing degree.

Tracy Atchley, 16, of Cape Girardeau is a 10th-grader at Scott City High School. She is the daughter of Sharon K. Beussink. She is active in softball and volleyball at school. She plans to attend college to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.

April McIntosh, 16, is the daughter of Jim and Linda McIntosh. She is a 10th-grader at Campbell High School, where she is active in Beta Club, Quiz Bowl team, FFA and German club. She plans to attend the University of Missouri to study theater.

Jodie Cooper, 17, of Essex is a junior at Richland High School. She is the daughter of Roger and Lynne Cooper. School activities include cheerleading, varsity volleyball, Beta club, FTA, FBLA, drum major, Pep band and Pep club. She is also an honor student. She plans to attend pharmacy school after graduation.

Courtni Yount, 16, is the daughter of Lynn and Linda Yount. She is a 10th-grader at Jackson Senior High School. She plans to attend college to pursue a degree in journalism.

Sarah Myers, 18, of Wolf Lake, Ill., is the daughter of Randy and Linda Myers. She is a senior at Shawnee High School, where she is active in varsity softball and basketball, Beta club, Student Council, FFA, FHA, theater as well as marching and concert band. She plans to attend the University of Missouri to study broadcast journalism.

Dahna Mott, 16, is the daughter of Gary and Sonya Blankenship and Steve Mott. She is a 10th-grader at Scott City High School, where she is active in basketball, pom-pon squad, FBLA and science club. She plans to attend college to pursue a career as a juvenile corrections officer.

Crystal Rhodes, 17, of Marble Hill is the daughter of Obed and Wanda Rhodes. She is a junior at Woodland R-4 High School. Her school activities include FFA officer, president of WASTED (drug free organization), FHA, Beta club, Collectibles club, School choir and National Anthem vocalist. She is also a member of the drug free advisory committee. She plans to attend college in Mississippi and major in advanced communications.

Not pictured:

Jessica Parris, 18, is a senior at Dexter High School. She is the daughter of Connie and Kenneth Parris.

Tiffany Grojean, 14, is a sophomore at Sikeston High School. Her parents are Ron and Faye Grojean.

Jodi Warren, 16, is a junior at Dexter High School. She is the daughter of Jim Warren and Donna Warren.