TWENTY-ONE AREA YOUNG WOMEN TO COMPETE FOR RIVERFEST QUEEN

Twenty one contestants will compete for the title of Miss Riverfest 1991. The fourth annual pageant will be held on the main stage at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Carol Yount, organizer of the pageant, said there will be five judges, including reigning Mrs. Missouri, Melody Hutson of Cape Girardeau, and first runner-up, Jana Jateff. There will be one other judge from Missouri and two from Illinois, she said.

Yount said response to the pageant has been very good: young ladies from five counties in Missouri and Illinois will compete for the title. Some contestants also competed in last year's Miss Riverfest contest, she said.

"This is the first year we've had girls from Festus, and we have girls from Cape, Jackson, Sikeston, Malden, Delta, and Desoto and Murphysboro, Ill.," she said.

Contestants will be judged on poise, personality, dress, speaking ability, and an interview with the judges.

The winner receives a $100 savings bond, a crown, trophy, flowers, dinners and a portfolio.

Miss Riverfest 1990, Heather Haubold, will serve as a hostess for the event and Miss St. Louis 1990, LuAnn Yount, will be the pageant's guest announcer.

Haubold, a graduate of Central High School, has taken an active role in assisting this year's contestants in getting ready for the contest, Yount said.

Contestants, who range in age from 14 to 18, will have a full day on Saturday, with interviews with judges in the morning, followed by appearances at West Park Mall in the afternoon and the contest that night, Yount said.

In addition to the queen, four alternates and a Miss Congeniality will be selected. Alternates will receive $50 savings bonds.

Contestants must have been high-school students as of May 1, be single, have no children, and must have maintained at least a "C" average.

Competing for the title of Miss Riverfest are:

Sarah Lah, 16, of Cape Girardeau, a junior at Central High School. She is a member of the choir and enjoys ice skating and traveling.

Angela Scherer, 16, of rural Cape Girardeau, a junior at Jackson High School. She is a member of the Drama Club and the St. Vincent Youth Group.

Traci Denise Tuschhoff, 17, of Jackson, a junior at Jackson High School. She runs track and cross country and is a member of her church youth group. She is also a member of Students Against Driving Drunk, National Honor Society, J-Club and Project High Step.

Tonya Rowland, 18, of Jackson, a senior at Jackson High School, where she is a member of the student council, Future Teachers of America and the school newspaper staff. She is president of Students Against Driving Drunk and vice president of the student body.

Mindy Stanley, 16, of Jackson a junior at Jackson High School. She enjoys sports, especially softball, and enjoys spending time with her family.

Julie Leigh Schoeninger, 16, of Marion, Ill., a junior at Marion High School. She is a member of the pom pon squad, the Varsity Club and the Teen Board.

Amy Quade, 14, of Chaffee, a freshman at Delta High School. She is a cheerleader, a member of the Pep Club, Future Homemakers of America and Students Against Driving Drunk. She is editor of the newspaper and a member of the band, gymnastics and yearbook staff.

Sarah Lynn King, 17, of Morley, a junior at Scott County Central High School. She is state vice president of the Beta Club, president of the Student Council, captain of the varsity cheerleaders, drum majorette, and a member of Future Homemakers of America and "Who's Who Among American High School Students."

Jeanie Holt, 15, of Sikeston, a sophomore at Thomas W. Kelly High School at Benton. She is active in cheerleading and twirling and enjoys running.

Jennifer Felter, 16, of Benton, a sophomore at Thomas W. Kelly High School at Benton. She is a member of the Beta Club, Students Against Driving Drunk, reporter for the FFA club, a cheerleader and a member of the Catholic Youth Club.

Teresa Chandler, 16, of Perryville, a sophomore at Perryville High School. She is a member of the flag corps at the school and enjoys dancing.

Wendy Brickhaus, 15, of Perryville, a student at St. Vincent High School. She is a member of Students Against Driving Drunk, the St. Vincent marching band and concert band.

April Michelle Ballance, 17, of Wolf Lake, Ill., a senior at Shawnee High School. She is class president and president of Future Homemakers of America. She is on the yearbook staff and plays basketball and softball.

Gretchen Berkheimer, 17, of Cobden, Ill., a senior at Cobden Unit High School. She is a member of Beta Club, Varsity Club, Pep Club and Foreign Language Club and played basketball and softball.

Marisa Lee Ann Morris, 15, of Malden, a freshman at Malden High School. She is involved in twirling, cheerleading, basketball, Student Council, Drama Club and band.

Bethany Grimes, 15, of Malden, a sophomore at Malden High School. She is involved in drama club, band, cheerleading and gymnastics.

Stephanie Lynne Grimes, 17, of Malden, a senior at Malden High School. She is a member of Quill and Scroll, Beta Club, Students Against Driving Drunk, Drama Club, cheerleading and field commander for the marching band.

Dori Robinson, 17, of Festus, a junior at Festus High School. She is a member of the flag corps and a varsity cheerleader.

Teena Weibking, 17, of Festus, a junior at Festus High School. She enjoys dancing, camping and spending time with her family.

Autumn Rachelle Miles, 16, of Desoto, Ill., a junior at Carbondale Community High School. She enjoys playing softball and swimming.

Tammy Douglas, 14, of Flat River, a freshman at Flat River Central High School. She is a member of the color guard and enjoys playing tennis and softball.