Three new young ladies were crowned as the 2016-17 Clearwater Royalty Friday evening after the Heritage Days parade.
Emily Hoyer is the new Miss Clearwater.
Kendra Sladky was chosen as Junior Miss Clearwater and Sonja Philippi was crowned Little Miss Clearwater before a huge crowd at the Clearwater Center Shopping Plaza.
The girls will now take over as Clearwater Ambassadors, replacing the 2015-2016 Ambassadors, Little Miss Clearwater Hannah Samuelson, Junior Miss Clearwater Jenna Brenson and Miss Clearwater Brianna Zachman.
Friday’s ceremony included a large contingent of royalty from other areas who wished the incoming Clearwater Royalty good luck.
There were ambassadors from Monticello, Foley, Kimball, Fairhaven, Annandale, Maple Lake, Buffalo and Wright County.
Each contestant was escorted to the stage where they spoke about why they wanted to be Miss Clearwater and answered one question for the judges.
“I believe Clearwater is a great town and I would love to represent it,” said Emily Hoyer, who will be a senior at Sauk Rapids High School this fall.
When asked what advice she would give to a child, she said: “Always consider everyone’s feelings. It will make you a kinder person.”
“I want to be Junior Miss Clearwater because it would be amazing,” said Kendra Sladky, who was also voted Miss Congeniality. “I really want to give back to the town.”
When asked what she saw herself doing in 10 years: “Definitely acting. I really love acting. It’s one of my favorite hobbies.”
Sonja Philippi was escorted to the stage by her grandmother.
“I look up to her,” said Sonja. “When I’m a grandma I want to be like her, too.”
She said she wanted to be Little Miss Clearwater because reigning Miss Clearwater Brianna Zachman told her it was fun.
“I want to have that much fun, too,” she said.
When asked to describe her best friend, Sonja said: “She’s sweet and helps me when I’m sad.”
None of the royalty was sad Friday, and they had a busy weekend ahead, appearing at the start and finish line for the 5k run Saturday morning, then at the Clearwater Historical Trolly Tours.
Over the next 12 months the girls will attend the following events and more: Kimball Parade in August; a fall 2016 Clearwater City Council meeting; Anoka Parade in October; St. Cloud Winter Night Lights Parade in December; Maple Lake Parade; Winter Awareness Day; Clearwater Fire Dept. Auxiliary Easter Egg Hunt; 2017 Sauk Rapids Parade; Monticello Riverfest 2017; Royalty Ice Cream Social and Coronation in 2017.
