Sasek reigns as Miss Moberly 2010

 

Amanda Sasek, left, Miss Moberly 2010, takes over the role and  responsibilities  from her predecessor Stephanie Barnes, Miss Moberly 2009.

Janet Morales, Mirror reporter

Amanda Sasek, 18, daughter of Jon and Michelle Brooks, was crowned Miss Moberly 2010 before a packed house at the Municipal Auditorium Saturday night.

Selected as the top of the eight Miss Moberly contestants, Sasek, a student at the University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg, will receive a $1,200 cash scholarship and will further compete for the title of Miss Missouri.

Crowning the new Miss Moberly was Stephanie Barnes, Miss Moberly 2009.

Micki Cullifer, 17, daughter of Mark and Mary Cullifer, was voted by the other contestants as most congenial, receiving the Lisa Davies Hall, Miss Moberly 1985, Memorial Award. This award entails a $25 cash scholarship and a memorial plaque.

Miss Moberly runners-up were as follows: Corina DeOrnellis, 18, daughter of Rebeccca Brockman, first runner-up; Stephanie Birdsong, 18, daughter of Janice Hartmann and Leonard Birdsong, second runner-up; Brooke Wehar, 18, daughter of Jamie and Tami Wehar, third runner-up; and Micki Cullifer, fourth runner-up.

Other contestants included Victoria Lewis, daughter of George Lewis and Deborah Lewis; Rochelle Dias, daughter of Pamela Dias and Thomas Brenner; and Abby Haffecke, daughter of Danny and Linda Haffecke.

Sherry Meyer served as mistress of ceremonies. Meyer is best known for her work with Girl Scouts and as co-director of the Randolph County Fair Pageant. Winners of the 2009 pageant were on hand to provide entertainment, say their farewells and to crown their successors: Stephanie Barnes, Miss Moberly 2009, daughter of Steve and Shari Barnes; Jessie Gamble Junior Miss Moberly 2009 and Junior Miss Missouri 2009, daughter of Sandy Gamble; Taylor Gallatin, Pre-Teen Miss Moberly 2009, daughter of Jason and Carol Milhollin and Joseph Gallatin; and Sophia Grace Milhollin, Little Miss Moberly 2009, daughter of Jason and Carol Milhollin.

Providing vocal entertainment were Amanda Mikel, a senior at Paris High School, and Heather Schake, filling in for her sister Carlie Wilson.

Contestants started off the day interviewing with judges. This interview consists of 25 percent of the girls’ scores. At the pageant, each girl was asked a question onstage, one of which related to her platform. This segment went to 5 percent of the judging score. Talent was another portion of the program, making up 35 percent of the total score. Girls also were judged in the category of lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, 15 percent, and evening wear, 20 percent.

Victoria Lewis, 20, a graduate of MHS and a student at State Fair Community College – Sedalia, told the audience that her major in radiology would be important in her quest to help others, a key portion of her platform to “Free yourself and be proud of the true you”. She entertained the crowd with a trumpet performance.

Rochelle Dias, 18, is a student at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly. Her platform was “Awareness of how to aid military veterans” and she said it was essential to help veterans be aware of the benefits that are available to them in order to improve their lives. She gave a vocal performance of the American Idol version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

Abby Haffecke, 18, a Westran High School graduate, is a student at Moberly Area Community College. She spoke on the needs of those with cerebral palsy explaining that better accommodations need to be made for those with physical disabilities. She performed a school-related pantomime as part of her talent.

Corina DeOrnellis, is a WHS graduate and a current student of Moberly Area Community College. She spoke on her platform regarding awareness of sexual abuse stating it is imperative to get counseling for anyone who has undergone such trauma. She sang the inspirational country song, “Do It Anyway”.

Micki Cullifer is a student at Moberly Senior High School and spoke of the positives of being part of 4-H. She said the organization helps instill character traits such as responsibility and trust “that you can take on the rest of your life.” Micki performed “What’s This?” as a piano solo.

Amanda Sasek’s platform was promoting the importance of performing arts in schools. Amanda sees her training in speech, drama and theater at MHS as a strong building block for her desired career as a political campaign manager. “It is an amazing program,” she said of fine arts programs in schools. “They benefit society and research shows they help students with their studies.” She sang “Colors of the Wind” as her featured talent.

Brooke Wehar is a Northeast R-IV graduate and a student at the University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg. Her platform is motivating children to excellence saying it is essential to find ways to “help our children because they are our future and they need to learn the necessary values for life.” Brooke’s talent portion of the program was an extension of this philosophy as she gave a dramatic reading as a child on her first day of preschool. “I’m going to be a big girl and make my mommy proud,” said the “preschooler”.

Stephanie Birdsong is a student at Westran High School spoke on abstinence for teens stating “abstinence will help you go further in life.” She performed a vocal solo of Loretta Lynn’s hit song, “You Ain’t Woman Enough”.

The Miss Missouri Pageant will be held June 9-12 in Mexico.

Find more Miss Moberly pictures in the Mirror photo gallery albums.