Winners crowned at pageant
Girls from across the Upper Peninsula showed off their pageantry skills in the Miss Upper Peninsula and Miss teen Upper Peninsula Thursday night.
The pageant was held at the Forest Roberts Theatre. Earlier in the day the contestants had an interview portion with the three judges. The evening portion had contestants compete in swimwear and evening wear.
The top three in each Miss U.P. and Miss Teen U.P. were then given a final question to answer that would determine the winner.
Kaylyn Kutchie from Marquette took the title of Miss Upper Peninsula, while Iris Robare of Gladstone won the title of Miss Teen Upper Peninsula.
“I’m impressed with them (all of the contestants),” Jennifer Skogman-Wagner, director of the pageant said. “Most of these girls have never been on stage like this, never competed in a pageant, and they are just up there doing their thing and showing their personality.”
It’s the first time since 2004 the pageant has been held in Marquette. Skogman–Wagner said she’s glad to see the pageant back in the U.P.
“This a really exciting event for us to bring to the Upper Peninsula,” Skogman-Wagner said. “I love our area, I’ve been up here my whole life, and the fact a future Miss U.S.A. or Miss Teen U.S.A. could be on our stage tonight is truly spectacular.”
Kutchie and Robare are now eligible compete in the Miss Michigan and Miss Michigan Teen pageants later this year.