Rehearsals have been in full swing at Centennial Auditorium in Staples for the upcoming ‘Miss Staples Motley’ pageant. The girls, ages 5 - 19, will be competing in three different age groups. Pictured above, from left, row one: Haylee Wold, Ellie Roggenkamp, Jacynda Rodeman, Zoe Greig, Macy Jo Yungbauer, Emma Erickson, Kaila Erbe, Macy Judd. Row two: Amber Deegan, Chelsea Hofmann, Carly Swenson, Madelyn Erbe. Row three: Kylee Helling, Tayah Smith, Katie Stone, Seanay Miner. Missing from photo are Alyssa Johnson and Alexus Jordan. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) Eighteen girls from the Staples Motley area will be vying for crowns and scholarships at the Miss Staples Motley Pageant, Saturday, July 31, at Centennial Auditorium in Staples.

The pageant, which begins at 7 p.m., is sponsored by the Staples Motley Area Chamber of Commerce. The event’s theme is “Patriotism.”

Serving as emcee for the evening is Melony Butler, Mrs. Minnesota International, from Ottertail County. Butler will also be the one who crowns the winners.

The evening’s program will include a group dance number (choreographed by the older candidates); special entertainment by Elizabeth Juergens and contestant Alyssa Johnson; and presentations by each of the contestants during the talent portion of the pageant.

In addition to talent, girls will be judged on a personality interview (held earlier in the day); their responses to an on-stage question of Butler; evening gown wear and a patriotic outfit.

There are three age groups represented:

o Miss Staples Motley candidates, ages 15 - 19, include Alyssa Johnson, daughter of Linda Peterson; Seanay Miner, daughter of Daniel and Alicia Miner; Tayah Smith, daughter of Rodney and Lori Smith; and Katie Stone, daughter of Chris and Kathy Stone. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

o Miss Teen Staples Motley candidates, ages 10 - 14, include Madelyn Erbe,

daughter of Kellie Busker and Paul Erbe; Kylee Helling, daughter of Craig and Vicki Helling; Chelsea Hofmann, daughter of Richard and Valerie Hofmann; Alexus Jordan, daughter of Russ and Deb Jordan; and Carly Swenson, daughter of Craig and Jamie Swenson. The winner will receive a savings bond of $500.

o Little Miss Staples Motley candidates, ages five - nine, include Ellie Roggenkamp, daughter of Joseph and Becky Roggenkamp; Haylee Wold, daughter of Bronson and Elaine Windorski; Macy Jo Yungbauer, daughter of Scott and Jolleen Yungbauer; Amber Deegan, daughter of Scott and Kristi Deegan; Kaila Erbe, daughter of Kellie Busker and Paul Erbe; Emma Erickson, daughter of Troy and Carrie Erickson; Zoe Greig, daughter of Adam and Carly Greig; Macy Judd, daughter of Michael and Tonia Judd; and Jacynda Rodeman, daughter of Justin and Angie Rodeman. The winner will receive a savings bond of $250.

Jolleen Yungbauer, Special Events Coordinator with the chamber, said, “We are really pleased with the number of girls who wanted to be a part of this. We haven’t had a pageant in about three years, so it’s great to get this positive response. We hope it continues in the future.”