Emily Jane Indlekofer CHESANING – The Chesaning Showboat Music Festival will choose a representative for the 2012 event on Saturday, Feb. 25 as 11 contestants compete for the crown.

The pageant begins at 7 p.m. at the Chesaning Middle School auditorium, with the doors opening at 6:30. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and under.

This year’s contestants include Emily Indlekofer, Amanda Leer, Jessica Fowler, Kaleen Tithof, Dominique Mead, Kelsey Luha, Abby Forstner, Mariah Espinoza, Kimberly Hunt, Alli Adams and Haley Thurston.

Contestant number one is Emily Jane Indlekofer, the 17- year-old daughter of Kevin and Shelly Indlekofer. A junior at Chesaning High School, she has received honors for cheerleading and academic excellence, as well as being on the honor roll. She is involved in National Honor Society (NHS), cheerleading, track, Key Club, media, choir, Junior State of America and journalism. She also enjoys working, spending time with her friends, meeting new people and learning new things. After graduation, she plans to study dermatology at a four-year university.

Amanda Amy Leer Amanda Amy Leer, the 18- year-old daughter of David and Darlene Lear, is contestant number two. A senior, she enjoys camping, shopping, exercise, boating and spending time with her family and friends. Leer will be graduating with high honors and is in the top ten of her class, earning a spot on the honor roll throughout high school. She has been involved in NHS, FFA, yearbook, chemistry club, journalism and volleyball. She also works as a manager at McDonalds. Leer plans to attend Central Michigan University to study biomedical science, with a career goal of obtaining a doctorate and working as a pediatrician.

Jessica Lydia Fowler Taking the stage as contestant three is Jessica Lydia Fowler, the 18-year-old daughter of Ed and Michelle Fowler. A senior, she has been involved in the Chesaning Association of Performing Arts (CAPA), choir and the Saginaw Valley UPC team, as well as serving as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant, Sunday soloist and soloist for the youth group praise team. She also volunteers with Michigan District youth church camps and is currently a teaching assistant at Big Rock Elementary. Fowler’s hobbies include singing, working out, writing poetry, walking her dog and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans include obtaining a master’s degree in speech pathology, volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and going on Mercy Medical mission trips with Compassion Services.

Kaleen Tithof Kaleen Tithof, contestant four, is the 17-year-old daughter of Janet and Robert Tithof. A junior, she has served as the vice president of her sophomore class, as well as on three consecutive one-year terms on the student council. She was also on the honor roll as a freshman. Tithof is also involved in basketball, tennis, volleyball and the FFA, as well as volunteering with the Chesaning Area Emergency Relief Center and Chesaning Nursing Care Center. She also likes cooking, jogging, playing tennis, shopping, watching classical movies, playing Xbox and finding new things to do everyday. She plans to study either culinary arts or design at the Art Institute in Detroit or Chicago.

Contestant number five is Dominique Mead, the 18-yearold daughter of Kim and Dick Mead. A senior, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, swimming and arts and crafts. She has received varsity letter honors and volunteers within the community. Mead plans to attend college to study occupational therapy.

Dominique Mead Kelsey Rose Luha, the 18- year-old daughter of Sharon and Jerry Luha, is contestant six. She has been honored with Most Valuable Player awards in both tennis and cross country, has been on the honor roll, and was selected as Delightfully Dressed in the senior class awards. She has been involved in yearbook, tennis, cross country, Key Club, Hobby Club, Chem Club, FFA and journalism. She also enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends. After graduation, she plans to study either journalism or public relations to pursue a career as a public relations specialist.

Abby Forstner, the 17-yearold daughter of Kathy Flanagan, plans to attend beauty school after graduation and eventually open her own salon. Forstner, contestant seven, enjoys styling hair, socializing, painting, shopping, playing with her dog and soaking up the sunshine. A senior, she has been involved in basketball, volleyball and softball. She also works for the public library.

Kelsey Rose Luha Senior and contestant number eight Mariah Ann Espinoza is the daughter of Trina and Steve Castanan. She has been involved in the Mid-Michigan Gems Cheer Team, sideline cheerleading, choir and kickboxing. She is also a poms teacher. Along with cheerleading, she also enjoys scrapbooking. After graduation, she would like to open her own nail salon.

Contestant nine is Kimberly Kay Hunt, the 17-year-old daughter of Robert and Debra Hunt. She enjoys fishing, traveling, four-wheeling, scrapbooking, photography and camping. She is the current president of Key Club and vice president of National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and will be graduating this year with honors. Along with Key Club and NTHS, she has been involved with the law and public safety program at the Saginaw Career Complex. She also works at United Financial Credit Union. Hunt plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to study social work and become a substance abuse social worker.

Abby Forstner Alli Adams, contestant 10, is the 18-year-old daughter of Tina Miller. A senior, she plans to attend Central Michigan University after graduation to study psychology and join the cheer team. Along with both sideline and competitive cheerleading, she is also involved in FFA and Key Club. She has served as class secretary, junior class representative and yearbook editor as well as working as a floor supervisor at McDonalds. She has received Second Team All- Conference honors and an All-District Honorable Mention. Adams enjoys doing gymnastics, going up north, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Mariah Ann Espinoza Contestant number 11 is Haley Catherine Thurston, the 17-year-old daughter of Bob and Sue Thurston. A senior, she plans to attend Delta Community College after graduation and hopes to one day open her own business. A member of the Academic All-State tennis team, Thurston has taken first place at the Chesaning Showboat Tennis Open, second at conferences and second at regionals to qualify for states. She also received her varsity letter as a freshman and was nominated for homecoming court. Thurston has also been involved in volleyball, FFA and the Academy of Dance and Music. She volunteers with the Showboat chicken dinners and with decorations at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Her hobbies include shopping, reading, exercising, dancing, fishing and going to the beach.

Kimberly Kay Hunt

Alli Adams

Haley Catherine Thurston