Miss Shamrock Pageant candidates announced

The 2008 Miss Shamrock Pageant will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 9 at Corrigan Hall in Emmetsburg.

There are six contestants in the pageant. Competition in the Miss Shamrock Pageant includes an interview with the panel of judges, introduction in casual wear, talent performance, formal wear and an on-stage question.

Miss Iowa, Diana Reed, will also be speaking and performing during the pageant.

The public is invited to attend the pageant, which is the kickoff to the annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration. Admission is $5 at the door.

The contestants are:

Kylie Carter

Kylie is the 18 year old daughter of Andrew and Holly Carter of Emmetsburg. She has a brother, Keaton, and a sister, Alexis.

A senior at Emmetsburg High School, Kylie is active in varsity show choir, cheerleading, and concert choir and is the secretary of the senior class. She was named Student of the Month in May 2007, is listed as an Outstanding Student of America and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

Kylie is involved in the community as an E'Hawk Buddy, a peer tutor, and the Education Talent Search. She is a member of JEL, Lighten Up Iowa, her church youth group and also does fundraising for muscular dystrophy through the Taylor Fund.

Her hobbies include singing, dancing, watching movies, eating Mexican cuisine and spending time with family and friends.

Kylie's future plans are to attend Iowa State University to double major in fitness management and athletic coaching with a minor in Spanish.

Kylie will be performing a vocal solo, "Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)."

Kylie Woodley

Kylie is the 17 year old daughter of Rick and Kerrie Woodley of Laurens. She has two sisters, Morgan and Kacie.

She is a senior at Laurens-Marathon High School where she is involved in volleyball, basketball, golf, softball and drill team. Kylie is also the senior class president, Y-Teens president, a member of the physics club, and the yearbook business manager. She is an honor roll student and the vice president of the National Honor Society.

Kylie is also active in the community as a volunteer for the Rally for the Cure golf tournament. She is in CCD and volunteers frequently in her church. She has attended and will be a counselor for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership camp and is the recipient of the Kiwanis Good Citizenship Award. She also volunteers as a coach and official for youth volleyball and is an elementary tutor.

Her hobbies include sports, scrapbooking, baking, hair styling, and spending time with family and friends.

Kylie's plans to attend Buena Vista University and major in exercise science/pre- chiropractic and participate on the golf team.

For the talent portion, Kylie will be performing a pom dance selection to "One Night Only" from "Dreamgirls".

Lynn Geelan

Lynn is the 18 year old daughter of Pat and Kristi Geelan of Ruthven. She has five brothers: Bill, Matt, Mark, Andy and Tommy.

Lynn is a senior at Ruthven-Ayrshire High School where she is involved in band, concert choir, swing choir, volleyball, basketball and golf. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and served as the statistician for the football team.

Her community activities include being an active church member and a CCD teacher. She also represented Ruthven at Iowa Girls State.

Lynn's interests include playing sports, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

Her future plans are to attend Briar Cliff University to become a pediatric nurse.

Lynn will be performing a vocal solo, "Danny Boy" for the talent portion of the competition.

Chelsea Zaragoza

Chelsea is the 17 year old daughter of Ned and Molly Zaragoza of Ruthven. She has two sisters: Shyanne and Krystal.

She is a senior at Ruthven-Ayrshire High School where she is involved in swim team, cheerleading, track and quiz bowl. Chelsea is also a member of the band, jazz band, concert choir and show choir.

Chelsea is the president of the Cantering 4-Hers and serves on the Palo Alto County 4-H Youth Council. She is also active in Luther League.

Her hobbies include swimming, reading, singing and horseback riding.

Chelsea's future plans are to attend Buena Vista University to major in communications and graphic design.

For the talent portion of the competition, Chelsea will be singing "In My Own Little Corner" from "Cinderella".

Tracy Fay

Tracy is the 17 year old daughter of Jerry and Kris Fay of Wallingford. She has one sister, Amy.

She is a senior at Estherville Lincoln Central High School where she is involved in drill team, show choir, varsity choir, jazz choir, band and the color guard. Tracy is a member of the Pepper staff and is listed on the A honor roll.

Tracy is also active in her community where she serves as an assistant Sunday school teacher. She is very involved in dance and serves as an assistant to her dance instructor. Tracy is striving to receive her purple cord for community service at graduation.

Her interests include dance, music, playing the piano and spending time with friends and family.

Tracy's future plans are to attend Iowa Lakes Community College and then transfer to Iowa State University, followed by medical school. Her career goal is to become either a reproductive therapist or a psychiatrist.

For the talent portion of the competition, Tracy will be performing a lyrical dance to "And We're Dancing".

April Gunderson

April is the 18 year old daughter of Jay and Roslyn Gunderson of Ringsted. She has two sisters, Mandy Hunecke and Ali Gunderson.

She is a senior at Armstrong-Ringsted High School where she is active in volleyball, softball, track, band and choir. She is the captain of the drill team, editor of the Mustang yearbook, and the vice president of the student council.

April is also involved in her community as a big buddie, a member of the Kinship Board of Directors, and is a member of her church choir. She was the winner of the Voice of Democracy contest and will receive a silver cord at graduation for community service. April also works part time at Romantic Treasures.

Her hobbies include singing, shopping, quilting, scrapbooking, photography, reading, and hanging out with friends.

April's future plans are to attend Morningside College and to be involved in choir and softball.

For the talent portion of the competition, April will be singing "I (Who Have Nothing)".