LOWELL | Mallory Pratt captured the crown Saturday at the 46th annual Lowell Junior Miss competition, earning the opportunity to represent this south Lake County community in February at the Indiana Junior Miss contest in Frankfort, Ind.
The 18-year-old Pratt, a Lowell High School senior, also netted a $3,000 scholarship and an additional $200 each in four of the judged categories. She won an additional $200 as one of two essay winners.
"The whole experience was so much fun," Pratt said, adding that she is excited at the chance of competing at the state level.
A golfing enthusiast, she performed a comedic ode to golf for her talent segment.
Erin Gavelek, 17, who took first runner-up honors, earned a $1,750 scholarship as well as $200 each in two of the judged categories.
"This was absolutely great," said Gavelek, a local soccer standout. "I was so out of my element."
She presented a poem, in Spanish then in English, during her talent portion.
As second runner-up, Kelly Koza earned a $1,500 scholarship, while third runner-up Amanda Davila won $1,250 and fourth runner-up Heather Bafia received $1,000.
In the talent category, Karrie Anne Skinner impressed the judges with her performance on the flute. She, along with Pratt and Davila, were winners in that category.
Stephanny Tauber, the 2008 Lowell Junior Miss, bid farewell after what she said was an enjoyable year's tenure.
"The best thing about Junior Miss is that it never seems like a competition," she said.
Debra Sikma, a former Lowell Junior Miss contestant, acted as chairwoman of the competition this year, and the emcee was Bob Ballas.
The judges for the event were Alana Burke, Sullivan; Julie Hewetson, Bedford; Angie Davids, Cedar Lake; Janie Anderson, Bedford; Monica Jackson, Momence, Ill., and Jaclin Collins, Manteno, Ill.
The contestants are judged in five categories: self expression, fitness, interview, talent and scholastics.
To learn more about the American's Junior Miss program, which features 400 events across the country annually, visit ajm.com.
