Candidates for Miss Clearwater, Junior Miss Clearwater and Little Miss Clearwater 2016-2017 gathered at the Lions’ Pavilion Wednesday evening to meet each other and go through their first round of judging.

 

The evening opened with an ice cream social where the girls got a chance to cool off from the muggy evening and learn more about the responsibilities of becoming Clearwater Royalty.

 

Coordinator Ziwicki said each girl had to meet with the judges during the evening.

 

“They were asked a few questions according to their age group,” she said.

 

This year’s judges are Brianna Ye, who just completed her reign as Wright County Fairest of the Fair, Marilin Benn, Miss Clearwater 2014-2015, and Schar Goff, a first-time judge who will be taking over as the coordinator of the Clearwater Ambassador Program next year.

 

While each candidate met with the judges, the rest of the girls made T-shirts as souvenirs of their time as candidates. They also made posters to hang  on the Clearwater Ambassador float during Friday’s Heritage Days Parade.

 

“The posters have their name and a picture so people can identify them at the parade,” said Ziwicki.

 

This year’s Little Miss Clearwater contestants (age 5-9) are Payton Kenning, Kali Ness, Sonja Philippi and Miranda Scherr.

 

The Junior Miss Clearwater candidates (10-15) are Kendra Sladky, Camryn Kenning, Kaitlyn Scherr, Rachael Philippi and Maddie Triplett.

 

The Miss Clearwater candidates (16-18) are Katrina Maile and Emily Hoyer.

 

Winners in each category were to be announced at the coronation after Friday’s parade.

 

Ziwicki said it will be a big ceremony, with current Clearwater Royalty taking part in the crowning and 11 other groups of visiting royalty on hand to cheer for  the girls.

 

In addition to Heritage Days activities, crowned winners will attend the following events: 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.