LARGE CROWDS ENJOY HOMECOMERS; FREDERICKTOWN TEEN CROWNED QUEEN

Large crowds, a record number of talent show competitors and bearable weather helped the 2000 Jackson Homecomers live up to the event's fine tradition.

The event, held most years since 1908, saw relatively mild temperatures some nights. Rain, meanwhile, held off until the very end of festivities the final night.

Leslie Dean Sikes, a senior at Fredericktown High School, was crowned 2000 Miss Homecomers. At high school she has been captain and co-captain of the Flag Corps, co-captain of the Gold Duster Squad and has been involved in choir, band, drama and speech. She has received five I ratings at the state music festival.

She plans to study musical theater in college. Her parents are Eddie and Terry Sikes of Fredericktown.

Mackenzie Elizabeth Price, a senior at Cape Central High School, was first runner-up. She is the captain of the cheerleading squad and is involved in the Student Senate, Chamber Choir, school musicals and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

She is one of six teen-agers featured in Mike Dumey's "Music, Music, Music" production.

She plans to major in public relations and business at Southwest Missouri State University. She is the daughter of John and Linda Price.

Second runner-up was Joleta Ludwig, the daughter of Lynn and Susan Ludwig of Jackson, and a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She plans to attend Southeast. She is active in her church youth group and enjoys hunting and target practice.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Oak Ridge High School Student Council and the All-District Choir.

The Miss Homecomers Pageant features high school students from Fredericktown, Oran, Kennett, Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, Oak Ridge, Jackson and Cape Girardeau. The 1999 pageant was canceled after only two contestants signed up.

The record number of talent show contestants were awarded Friday night, Aug. 25, during Homecomers. Winners were as follows:

Junior Division (age 6-12)

1. Katie Boyer - vocal

2. Premier Pommies - dance group

3. Fabulous Feet - dance group

4. Adam Reinagel and Jessica Dock - Vocal duo

Senior Division (age 13-21)

1. Cassie Janet - vocal

2. Amanda Wills - vocal

3. The Bod Squad - dance group

4. Courtney Crowden - vocal

The winner is eligible to compete at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn. A representative from the fair was in attendance.

Another highlight included an appearance by Miss Missouri, Arron Wendel of Ray County, who took Conductor Nick Leist's baton for one song with the Jackson Municipal Band. The Mike Dumey production "Music, Music, Music," featuring talented area teen-agers and children from the area, was presented the same night.

The band Country Touch also performed during Homecomers. Dumey was to join with Jackson singer Robyn Hosp to present their popular show Saturday night after Miss Homecomers was chosen.

The usual Homecomers fare of carnival rides by United Expositions, wild animals, food and drinks were also present.