Cary Grove Chamber Crowns 2011 Miss Cary, Miss Fox River Grove

The 2011 Miss Cary, Erin Alleva, and 2011 Miss Fox River Grove, Leslie Michaelchuck, both received a $1,000 scholarship award from the Cary-Grove Chamber. 

The Chamber’s Business Scholarship Pageant is sponsored by True Value Manufacturing and Wickstrom Auto Group.

2011 Miss Cary Erin Alleva is a Junior at Cary-Grove High School and the daughter of Dominic and Karen Alleva. 

She is involved in choir, musical, German Honor Society, Speech Team and more.  Alleva was the director of the Freshman/Sophomore Showcase and participates in the German Exchange Program. 

Alleva has volunteered with the Salvation Army, and participated in a 5K Cancer Walk.  She plans to pursue a career as a teacher.

Leslie Michaelchuck is the daughter of Donald and Linda Michaelchuck. 

Michaelchuck, a CGHS Junior, participated in track, cross country and Interact. She volunteers at her church participating in the Yellow Ribbon Service Group singing carols at Holiday time at local nursing homes and preparing care packages. 

She has helped at the Cary Grove Food Pantry, organized a book donation program, and volunteers at the Fox River Grove Library.  Leslie plans to study physical therapy at college.

 Other Pageant winners included Megan Ulmanis, Miss Cary first runner-up, who won a $250 scholarship, and Brooke Senger, Miss Cary second runner-up, who won a $100 scholarship, Abby Koenemann, Miss Fox River Grove first runner-up, who won a $250 scholarship,  Megan Ulmanis  Miss Photogenic, and Shannon O’Connor Miss Congeniality.

Contestants competing in the pageant this year for the title of Miss Cary were Erin Alleva sponsored by Kojak’s, Samantha Berrafato sponsored by Sage Products, Inc.

Alexandra Johnson sponsored by Cary-Grove Performing Arts Centre, Jessica Lehnhard sponsored by Jimmy Johns of Cary,

Roxanne Neubaum sponsored by Malooley Sport & Family Chiropractic, Shannon O’Connor sponsored by Lee’s Martial Arts and Sarah Panko sponsored by Safari Childcare.

Brooke Senger was sponsored by Dolce Day Spa, Katherine Stryker sponsored by Jewel/Osco and Kristina Terry sponsored by Angel Adoption, Inc.

Shannon Tryon was sponsored by Frisch & Barrett Insurance Agency, and Megan Ulmanis sponsored by Dunkin Donuts. 

Competing for the crown of Miss Fox River Grove were Margaret Busch sponsored by Merle Norman Cosmetics, Abbey Koenemann sponsored by Wickstrom Auto Group, Christine Lombardino sponsored by Stone Hill Center and Leslie Michaelchuck, sponsored by Don’s Upholstery and More.

 The process leading up to the Miss Cary/FRG Pageant is designed to provide the contestants with valuable communication and speaking skills and knowledge about local business. 

The contestants are formally introduced to the business community and area leaders, get involved in community service, and are trained in speaking and presentation skills. The evening of the Pageant the contestants participate in an evening gown competition, an interview session and give a live presentation on their business sponsor.

 The Pageant Committee consisted of Lisa Raupp of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Sandra Nies of Harris Cary, Ellen McAlpine of Evnoy Mortgage Corp, and 2005 Miss Cary Alison Knaak.  

Photographs of the contestant were taken by Wendy Veugeler of Cellar Portrait Studios. For more information, go to www.carygrovechamber.com

       (This article was submitted by the Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce)