SIX TO RUN FOR MISS HOMECOMERS TITLE

JACKSON -- Six young women will vie for the title of Miss Homecomers Friday at the city's annual Homecomers celebration.

The six are Laura Beck of Jackson, Kaitlin Denise Crites of Jackson, Jyothil Dirnberger of Cape Girardeau, Chrissie Icaza of Jackson, Amanda Suzanne Koeller of Jackson and Amy McBride of Vanduser.

The contest will begin with interviews at 5:45 p.m. Friday with the pageant beginning at 7 p.m. on the courthouse square.

Escorts will be Andrew Luehrs and Craig Bohnsack, both of whom were Jackson American Legion representatives to Boys State. Hostesses will be Raegan Scheper and Sara Strack, who were Jackson American Legion representatives to Girls State.

Beck, 17, is the daughter of Ralph and Angela Beck. She is on the varsity soccer and basketball teams at Jackson High School, a member of the National Honor Society and on the A Honor Roll. She also is a member of J-Club, Hi-Step and FBLA. She previously was involved with the Student Council, the Prom Committee, the Pep Club and the marching band.

The high school senior enjoys working with kids at athletic camps. She plans to attend a four-year college and major in business.

Crites is the daughter of Alan and Dixie Crites and is a senior at Jackson High School. She has participated in chorus at the state level, Student Council, the Squawler, Pep Club and Drama Club.

She hopes to pursue an acting career at the Chicago School for the Performing Arts.

Dirnberger is the daughter of Bernie and Beverly Dirnberger and also is a senior at Jackson High School. She has been involved in soccer, the Scholar Bowl, JAM and French Club and has received the Girl Scout Silver Award.

She is originally from India. She hopes to pursue a degree in criminal justice and work for the FBI.

Icaza is the daughter of Ramiro and Dianne Icaza and is a senior at Jackson High School. She is involved in cheerleading, FBLA, Pep Club, Drama Club, the National Honor Society and All-District Choir. She received No. 1 ratings at district and state solo competitions.

She plans to attend Saint Louis University and study medicine.

She recently traveled to her father's hometown in Nicaragua. The family had shipped clothing, toys and medical supplies to the poor there.

Koeller is the daughter of Stanley and Martha Koeller, She also is a senior at Jackson High School.

She is a member of the Jackson High School Band, Honors Band and Speech Club.

She competed in the Midsouth Fair Talent Competition and finished third in an oratorical contest. She also helps direct children's musical for Keyboards and Kindermusik.

She hopes to become a professional country music vocalist.

McBride is the daughter of Barry and Susie McBride. She is a senior at Notre Dame High School.

She has been the secretary for FBLA and has been involved in Projects Club, the Prom Planning Committee, Freshman Lock-In Planning Committee. She is on the Honor Roll and received a varsity letter for Christian service.

She was chosen as a member of the JCPenney Teen Advisory Board and has been a volunteer assistant basketball coach for the Guardian Angel girls basketball team in Oran for the past three years.

She plans to pursue a degree in psychology in college.