By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
news4garrod@gmail.com
MATTAWAN – The 2024 Miss Mattawan Scholarship Pageant held recently saw Delaney Riddle named Miss Mattawan 2024.
Her court includes: First Runner-up and Miss Entrepreneur McKenzie Schoonbeck, Second Runner-up Jessica Jasensky, and Miss Congeniality Nariah Walsh.
The new queen said, “I joined originally thinking that if it’s my senior year, I might as well throw my hat into the ring. I have never participated in a competition like this before, so this was a first for me and a little out of my comfort zone. The night of the competition, we did a non-judged dance, followed by an on-stage presentation, and a fishbowl question (both being judged). My favorite part, but also the part that I was most nervous about, was my on-stage presentation, the prompt being female historical figure. I chose Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to present, and I feel that I did her justice. In the end, I couldn’t have picked a better group of women to compete against, and lifelong connections have been created. With the program being around since 1966, it is a surreal experience to be a part of history. I am looking forward to my year as the title holder and cannot wait for what the future holds.”
Other contestants included Jenascia Conner, Natalie Johncock, Lia Asher and Irone Sato.
Each contestant did a panel style interview with the judges, gave an onstage presentation on a historical female figure, with presentations on Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Marilyn Monroe, Harriet Tubman, their grandmother, Eugenie Clark (and more), a best dressed walk and on-stage question.
The Miss Mattawan Scholarship Program is open to sophomores, juniors or seniors who attend Mattawan Schools or live within the Mattawan school district.
The program is scholarship driven and since 2004, over $245,000 in scholarships have been given out. This year, over $8,000 will be awarded to the court.
Although the contest does not typically select specific themes, it usually selects a couple of colors that the program is based around, with this year’s colors, gold and black. The Miss Mattawan Scholarship contestants did their opening dance number to the soundtrack of the movie, “The Great Gatsby.”
This year, a Little Miss Mattawan title was awarded to Gianna Caporossi and Little Miss Congeniality to Leeanda Williams.
There were four contestants in third, fourth or fifth grade who participated in the Little Miss Mattawan contest.
The Little Miss contestants did an on-stage presentation on their role model, answered an onstage question and did a best dressed walk.
Little Miss Mattawan was awarded a $500 monetary prize and will participate in community events with the Miss Mattawan court over the next year.
Little Miss contestants included Kendall Coon, Kai Richardson, Leeanda Williams, and Gianna Caporossi.
Judges were Lisa Kamischke, Melissa Martinek and Annie Baldwin (2024 Mrs. Michigan America).
Carol Patridge was a teller and MC was Sarah Dudinetz.
2024 Program Directors are Katie Jeschke, Samantha Grundemann and Emily McDonald.
