05/18/2007

20 women hope to be queen

Finalists to be announced Saturday

TRAVERSE CITY — The following women are vying to serve as the National Cherry Queen for this year's annual festival, scheduled for July 7-14.

The candidates are participating in Selection Weekend, which began Thursday and continues through Saturday at Crystal Mountain Resort. Four finalists, to be announced Saturday, will compete during the festival itself. The new National Cherry Queen and first runner-up will be announced at the Queen's Coronation Ball during the 2007 National Cherry Festival.

Alisha Keeler, 20, is the daughter of Julie Babcock of Buckley. She is student at Kendall College of Art and Design. While studying interior design and historic preservation, she also fills her time working for ANA Sports as a gymnastics and cheerleading coach. She is sponsored by Northern Tower Erection Co.

Tiffany Homant, 20, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Ashley Homant of Traverse City. A graduate of Traverse City Central High School, Homant is enrolled at Wayne State University. Her goals include acceptance into the school of radiation therapy at Wayne State. She is sponsored by Exchange Club of Traverse City.

Megan Curto, 22, is the daughter of Dorothy Leary of Traverse City. She is a graduate of Traverse City West High School and attends Central Michigan University. Sponsored by Archer Contracting Co., Curto is studying elementary education, specializing in child development.

Carissa Dunklow, 22, is the daughter of Gerry and Shirley Dunklow of Lake Leelanau. She is majoring in social work at Northwestern Michigan College. She hopes to use her degree to help abused women and children. Dunklow is sponsored by Red Path Orchards.

Heather Bonnell, 19, is the daughter of Doug and Patti Bonnell of Traverse City. She attends Ferris State University and is majoring in English education. Bonnell is sponsored by Jennifer LaCharite at International Realty Plus and Gail Chambers with Traverse Mortgage Corp.

LeeAnn Battaglia, 18, is the daughter of Kevin and Sandra Kraak of Traverse City. She graduated from Traverse City West High School in 2006 and is enrolled at Schoolcraft Community College. She would like to eventually earn a master's degree in elementary education. Battaglia is sponsored by Tyme Well Spent Tea Room.

Danielle Archambo, 20, is the daughter of Duane and Renee Archambo of Traverse City. She is a student at Indiana University and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2005. Her goals include going to medical school and earning a PhD. She is sponsored by Northern Fire and Safety.

Megan Umulis, 19, is the daughter of Ralph and Sheryl Umulis of Interlochen. A graduate of Traverse City West High School, she is majoring in advertising at Michigan State University. Umulis has appeared in a magazine advertisements and TV commercials. She is sponsored by Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Erika Korndorfer, 21, is the daughter of Rick and Paula Korndorfer of Traverse City. She graduated from Traverse City West High School and attends Michigan State University, where she is majoring in communications. She is sponsored by La Cuisine Amical.

Megan Lajko, 20, is the daughter of Rob and Beth Lajko of Kingsley. She plans to graduate from Northwestern Michigan College in May with a degree in secondary education. Lajko was named 2005 Northwestern Michigan Fair Queen and enjoys spending Sundays with her family. She is sponsored by Century Inc.

Erica LaVire, 22, is the daughter of Jeff LaVire and Vikki Pizzano of Traverse City. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2005 and Traverse City Central High School in 2002. At the University of Michigan, LaVire received a Bachelor of Science in biopsychology. She is sponsored by Kicks for Kids.

Andrea Messinger, 24, is the daughter of Mark and Linda Messinger of Traverse City. Messinger graduated from Central Michigan University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in applied arts. Currently, she has an internship in Flushing with the city manager. She is sponsored by Dr. Lints Orthodontics, Lil Bo's & Capone's Cafe, Northwood Paint & Supply and Matt Morrison, a professional golfer with the PGA.

Amanda Morlock, 21, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Debra Morlock of Watervliet. She recently graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree in organizational communications and a dual minor in dance and psychology. She has interned with Midwest Family Broadcasting and is sponsored by J.W. Morlock & Girls Fruit Farm.

Danielle Moss, 21, is the daughter of Peter and Cammie Moss of Benzonia. She recently graduated from Alma College and hopes to attend the accelerated RN program at either the University of Michigan or Michigan State University in the fall. She is sponsored by Smeltzer Orchard Co.

Rebecca Oubeck, 20, is the daughter of James and Patricia Oubeck of Allen Park. She is a student at Wayne County Community College and is majoring in medical laboratory science. She has worked at Dearborn Cardiology in varying roles since 2002. Oubeck is sponsored by Brownstone Pharmacy.

Stephanie Paulosky, 20, is the daughter of Karen Paulosky of Williamsburg. She attends Aquinas College with a major in communications and minor in business administration. Paulosky has sung the National Anthem at Aquinas men's and women's basketball games and is sponsored by Blue Sky Rentals and Great Lakes Packing Co.

Katie Schaub, 21, is the daughter of Dennis and Kim Schaub of Lake Leelanau. She is a student at Northwestern Michigan College and is majoring in visual communications. Schaub plans to transfer to Columbia College in Chicago once her studies are finished at NMC. She is sponsored by K & D Schaub Construction Inc.

Jaimee Scribner, 21, is the daughter of John and Anita Scribner of Frankfort. She is a student at Grand Valley State University and is double majoring in English and history. Her plans include traveling and attending graduate school outside of Michigan. She is sponsored by Blackbird Farms.

Heidi Sikarskie, 19, is the daughter of Cal and Beth Sikarskie of Traverse City. A Traverse City West High School graduate, she now attends Northwestern Michigan College. She is sponsored by Hoxsie's Orchard Hill Farms, Honor State Bank, Lamar Advertising and Schulz Orthodontics.

Amy Wegener, 21, is the daughter of James and Susan Wegener of Traverse City. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 2004 and is a junior at Alma College. Wegener also worked as a fashion intern in Philadelphia in the spring of 2007. She is sponsored by Jim and Jennifer McLellan, Stan Gravis, Dr. Ronald and Deborah Weisberger and James and Susan Wegener.