Four to compete for Miss Quincy title on Saturday at Quincy Community Theatre

January 2, 2022 | By Muddy River News

Top row, Juliana Fray and Grace Geschwander; bottom row, Crystal Middendorf and Ashley Miller. Photos courtesy of Miss Quincy Schlarship Program

QUINCY — Miss Quincy Scholarship Program officials announced Saturday the 73^rd annual Miss Quincy and Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen Competition, presented by Gully Transportation, will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Quincy Community Theatre.

Lindsey Hess, executive director of the program, is pleased the competition is moving forward after the pageant was canceled in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Many of the candidates have been anxiously awaiting and preparing for the competition for the last two years,” Hess said in a press release. “They are a dynamic group, and the community is going to be impressed by their ambition, talent and intelligence.”

Four women will compete for the opportunity to become Miss Quincy and earn a $3,000 college scholarship and thousands of dollars in prizes. The winner will represent Quincy at Miss Illinois, a preliminary competition to Miss America. Candidates for Miss Quincy will compete in the areas of interview, talent, evening wear, social impact initiative pitch and on-stage question.

Seven women are vying for the title of Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen, a preliminary competition to Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. In addition to prizes, the winner will be awarded a $750 academic scholarship courtesy of Blessing-Rieman College & Health Sciences. Teen candidates will compete in the areas of interview, lifestyle and fitness, talent, evening wear and on-stage question.

***Miss Quincy Emma Hildebrand, left, and Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen Shelby Rose*** | Photos courtesy of Miss Quincy Scholarship Program

Miss Quincy Emma Hildebrand and Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen Shelby Rose will crown the new titleholders after two years representing Quincy at community events and Miss Illinois. Hildebrand placed in the top ten in the Miss Illinois division last June, and Rose placed third runner-up and won an award for the best interview in the Outstanding Teen division.

Eight participants will participate in a fun-filled, non-competitive Princess Program. The Princess Program offers young girls the opportunity to improve upon skills that promote self-confidence and poise. They will perform in the opening number at the competition, and walk the stage in a beautiful gown of their choosing. Each princess will receive a crown and sash.

Matt Schmidt will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Tickets can be purchased for $15 each at Emerald City Jewelers.

The Miss America Organization is the world’s largest scholarship provider for young women, awarding over 45 million dollars in scholarship dollars each year.

Miss Quincy candidates

Juliana Fray
Age: 22
Parents: Donnie and Jennifer Fray
Social Impact Initiative: Reverse the Trend: Educating, Registering, and Mobilizing Youth Voters
Talent: Musical Theater Dance
College: University of Florida

Grace Geschwandner
Age: 20
Parents: Lori Geschwander and the late Tom Geschwandner
Social Impact Initiative: Perfect Harmony: Empowering and Advocating for the Arts
Talent: Vocal Performance
College: Elmhurst University

Ashley Miller
Age: 23
Parents: Chris and Toni Miller
Social Impact Initiative: Her Voice – Domestic Violence Awareness
Talent: Monologue
College: Culver-Stockton College

Crystal Middendorf
Age: 21
Parents: Joe and Julie Middendorf
Social Impact Initiative: Can’t Drag Us Down
Talent: Self-Expression Dance
College: Quincy University and John Wood Community College

***Top row from left, Allison Worley, Alli Peterson and Kadence Haskins; middle row, Olivia Schaller, Sierra Lucie and Caydee Rennecker; bottom row, Lyndi Weatherford.*** | Photos courtesy of Miss Quincy Scholarship Program

Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen candidates

Sierra Lucie
Age: 16
Parents: Chuck and Tammy Lucie
Social Impact Initiative: Smiles for Seniors
Talent: Tap Dance
School: Carl Sandburg College and Warsaw High School

Lyndi Weatherford
Age: 12
Parents: Diana/ Billy Weatherford
Social Impact Initiative: See Something, Say Something – Stand up Against Bullying
Talent: Ballet Dance
School: Quincy Junior High School

Alli Peterson
Age: 16
Parents: Eric and Brittany Peterson
Social Impact Initiative: Unity Within a Community
Talent: Jazz Dance
School: Winchester High School

Kadence Haskins
Age: 17
Parents: Amanda Haskins and Wesley Haskins
Social Impact Initiative: Storms Make Trees Take Deeper Root
Talent: Speech
School: Pittsfield High School

Kaydee Rennecker
Age: 15
Parents: Chad and Lindsey Rennecker
Social Impact Initiative: We Care
Talent: Dance
School: Western High School

Olivia Schaller
Age: 14
Parents: Dina Schaller, Seth Schaller
Social Impact Initiative: Capping Insulin Prices and Diabetic Education
Talent: Vocal
School: Illini West High School
Sponsor: Memorial Hospital

Allison Worley
Age: 17
Parents: Shane and Adrianne Worley
Social Impact Initiative: #CONFIDENCEISKEY
Talent: Jazz Dance
School: Illini West High School