Shown are the newly crowned 2018 Cutie Queen, Nilah Moreno-Elst and Cutie King Trevor Roberts. The contest was held Friday, June 22

NORTH WEBSTER  — Nilah Moreno-Elst, of Detroit, Mich., and Trevor Roberts, of Syracuse are the 2018 Cutie Queen and King. They were crowned during the 73rd annual North Webster Mermaid Festival’s Cutie King and Queen contest, held tonight, June 22.

Moreno-Elst is the daughter of Ignacio and Katie Moreno-Elst, while Roberts is the son of Matt and Mariah Roberts.

The Cutie Queen’s Court is Marlie Walcott, first runner up. She is the daughter of Brandt and Lindsay Walcott, Warsaw. Second runner up is Hali Wilson. She is the daughter of Andy Wilson and Jamie Moneyheffer, Leesburg. Third runner up was Kay Lynn Nolley. She is the daughter of Jason Nolley and Jamie Waldo, North Webster.

The King’s Court is Andyn McClane, first runner up. He is the son of Ryan and Alissa McClane, Goshen. Second runner up is Anderson Smith. He is the son of Will and Nikki Smith, Schererville.  Third runner up is Luke Speakman. He is the son of Lucas and Kari Speakman, Watkinsville, Ga.

This year 56 contestants vied to be named cutie royalty. There were 35 girls seeking the Cutie Queen crown and 21 boys seeking the Cutie King crown.

The judges, who were all from out of the area, had two opportunities to see the children. First all the girls were brought on stage, then all the boys.

The children were then brought back in smaller groups, consisting of five girls and four boys. Each time they were encouraged to wave and interact with the crowd.

The king and queen each receive scholarship bonds worth $5,000; second place receives $2,500, third palace $1,500 and fourth place, $1,000 from the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation. Each winner may claim their scholarship at the age of 19.

In addition to naming cutie royalty, winners of the Cutie Parade, held Wednesday night, June 20, were also named. First through fourth place winners were named in each categoy: walking, hand-drawn and motorized.

Winners in the walking category were: Quinlynn Risedorph, first place; Emmerie Stump, second place;  Walcott, third place; and Moreno-Elst, fourth place.

Winners in the hand-drawn category were: Brynn VanLaeken, first place; John Kimmel, second place; Montgomery Armfield, third place, and Brystal Bower, fourth place.

Winners in the motorized category were: Zane Grady, first place; Hazel Sedlmeyer, second place; Lincoln Granger, third place and Kaleigh Corn, fourth place.

Parade winners also receive scholarship money from the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation. First place winners receive $5,000; second place winners receive $2,500; Third place receive $1,500 and fourth place receive $1,000

Phil Metcalf was the evening’s master of ceremonies. The children were assisted on the  stage by Hannah Parker, 2017 Queen of the Lakes, Madison Fisher, 2017 Princess of the Lakes; Lillian Byng, 2008 Cutie Queen and Caleb Clevenger, 2008 Cutie King.