QUEEN CONTEST WILL HIGHLIGHT JACKSON HOMECOMERS SATURDAY

JACKSON -- Dressed for a ball, young women 16 to 19 years of age from all over the area will be the highlight of Saturday's Jackson Homecomers celebration.

This year's Jackson Homecomers Queen pageant theme is "Cinderella." It will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Emogene Schnurbusch, chairman of the contest, said the young women will be judged just on appearance.

"The young ladies will be judged in a private interview," she said. "They will also be judged for poise and personality."

She said the contestants will only be asked to wear formal evening dress. There will be no talent or swimsuit competition. Schnurbusch said the contestants will be judged by three anonymous judges.

Local businesses will present winners with gifts and cash prizes.

Contestants are representatives from surrounding communities. First-, second-, and third-place winners will be selected.

The contest, held in front of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, is sponsored by American Legion Post 158 as part of the 89th annual weeklong Homecomes festivities running through Saturday night.

It will include 14 contestants, two contest hostesses, two male escorts, little escort, and Little Miss Homercomers.

The Little Miss Homcomers representative is picked by Legion members and traditionally has been a daughter or granddaughter of a Legion member.

The 1996 retiring Homecomers Queen, Jennifer Miller, 1996 Miss Scott City, will crown the winner.

Entertainment by keyboard player Matt Martin, soloist Julie Walker, and the Spirit Dancers will kick off the pageant.

This year's contestants:

Michelle E. Bennett, Miss Cape Girardeau, is a sophomore at Baylor University and a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Bennett of Cape Girardeau.

Jyothi Dirnberger, Miss Egypt Mills, is a sophomore at Jackson R-2 School District. She is the daughter of Bernie and Bev Dirnberger of Cape Girardeau.

Kristena Galeski, Miss Ste. Genevieve, is a junior at Ste. Genevieve High School. She is the daughter of Mike and Cathy Hermann of Ste. Genevieve.

Shanna Hermann, Miss Zell, is a junior at Ste. Genevieve High School. She is the daughter of Mike and Cathy Hermann of Ste. Genevieve.

Niki Laine Hoover, Miss Dexter, is a senior at Dexter High School. She is the daughter of Win and Susan Cobern and Charles Hoover of Dexter.

Andrea Renee Kieninger, Miss Fruitland, is a junior at Jackson Senior High School. She is the daughter of Elmer and Debbie Kieninger of Jackson.

Nicole Landgraf, Miss Pocahantas, is a junior at Jackson Senior High School. She is the daughter of Robert and Jane Landgraf Jr. of Jackson.

Amy McBride, Miss Vanduser, is a junior at Notre Dame High School. She is the daughter of Barry and Susie McBride of Vanduser.

Brittany McDonald, Miss Skeston, is a junior at Sikeston Senior High School. She is the daughter of Duke and Pat McDonald of Sikeston.

Celeste Kay Ramsey, Miss Perryville, is a graduate of Perryville High School. She is the daughter of Kathe and David Ramsey of Perryville.

Brianna Ream, Miss Jackson, is a senior at Jackson Senior High School. She is the daughter of Linda and Larry Ream of Jackson.

Kayleen Schweiss, Miss Scott City, is a junior at Scott City High School. She is the daughter of Mary and Dale Dannenmueller of Scott City.

Beth Royer, Miss Fredericktown, is a graduate of Fredericktown High School. She is the daughter of Melody and David Royer of Fredericktown.

Richelle Tisher, Miss Silver Lake, is a junior at Perryville High School. She is the daughter of Rick and Brenda Tisher of Perryville.

Kara Thoma, Miss Gordonville, is a Junior at Jackson Senior High School. She is the daughter of Carlton and Jean Thoma of Jackson.

Hostesses for the pageant are Theresa Biri and Natalie Sharp of Jackson.

Escorts for the queen candidates are Dean Bucher and Craig R. Hutson of Jackson.

Little escort will be Christopher Drew, a first-grade student at Immaculate Conception School.

Also in attendance will be Little Miss Homecomers, Caitlin Ranae Drum, a first-grade student at Orchard Drive Elementary.