Spearfish, Pierre women take local pageant titles

| Monday, January 05, 2004

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RAPID CITY -- Sara Olson of Spearfish won the Miss Badlands crown and McKayla Marso of Pierre took the Miss Rushmore title at a scholarship pageant Saturday night in Rapid City.

Olson, a BHSU senior majoring in business law and hospital administration, won the interview portion of the contest. Marso, a senior at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, won the swimsuit and talent competitions.

Cassie Kimball, BHSU junior from Belle Fourche, was first runner-up for Miss Badlands. Holly Clark, LeTourneau University (Longview, Texas) sophomore from Spearfish, was first runner-up for Miss Rushmore. Callee Bauman, SDSU freshman from Huron, won the Miss Congeniality award.

Eleven contestants competed for the two titles which were open to women ages 17 to 24.

There wan't a Miss Rapid City contest this year because there were only two Rapid City residents competing and a minimum of four is required.

Miss Rushmore and Miss Badlands contestants must be South Dakota residents. Sara Seever, Miss Rushmore 2003, is now the reigning Miss South Dakota.

Aja Kessler won the Miss Rapid City Teen title which was open to girls ages 13-17. Kessler, a ninth-grade Rapid City homeschooler, is the daughter of Kenny and Renee Mesteth of Rapid City. Stephanie Seljeskog, the daughter of Steve and Sarah Seljeskog of Rapid City, was named first runner-up. Bryanna Hollibaugh, Rapid City Stevens High School freshman, won the Miss Congeniality award.

Leta Faller, Rapid City, won the Little Miss Rapid City crown, a contest open to girls ages 9-12. Faller, a fifth-grader at Corral Drive Elementary in Rapid City, is the daughter of Beverly and Dean Faller of Rapid City.

Hayley Smith, Rapid City West Middle School sixth grader and daughter of Thomas and Deanna Smith of Rapid City, won Miss Congeniality honors.

Pageant Director Jan King thanked the many volunteers and sponsors who helped coordinate the pageant. Local scholarship sponsors were Subway, Pete Lien and Sons, Meadowood Lanes, Robbinsdale Lanes, McKie Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Department of Social Services (employees cash donation), Master Awards and Embroidery and Midas Auto Service Experts.

Pageant judges for Little Miss Rapid City and Miss Rapid City Teen were Vianne Anderson, Karen Charlton and Tracy O'Connor. Miss Badlands and Miss Rushmore judges were Tom Simmons, Marie Reed, Michael Howard, Bobbie Marcheso and Julie Aughenaugh.

Carol Hesby and Denise Webster of Ketel Thorstensen CPAs tabulated the scores. Andre Tritt performed several rap songs for intermission entertainment.

Sara Frankenstein choreographed the pageant. Susan Montieth and Lani Anderson worked with the younger contestants and Bill Evans and the Rapid City Stevens orchestra provided music for the event.