NORTH WEBSTER — Syracuse native Mikala Mawhorter captured the 2018 Queen of Lakes crown Saturday, June 23, at the 73rd annual pageant held in North Webster Community Center.

Last year’s Queen of Lakes Hannah Park places the royal sash on Mikala Mawhorter as emcee Phil Metcalf looks on. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Mawhorter, who previous won the Miss Syracuse Lake contest, bested fellow contestants Madison Fisher, Miss Little Tippy Lake, first runner-up; Lauren Brown, Miss Nyona Lake, second runner-up; and Kirstin Knox, Miss Big Barbee Lake, third runner-up.

Mawhorter will receive a $2,000 scholarship for her win. The runners-up will receive $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively. The scholarships are awarded by Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation Inc.

Mikala Mawhorter, seated, won the 2018 Queen of Lakes pageant Saturday, June 23. Standing behind her are Kirstin Knox, third runner-up; Madison Fisher, first runner-up; and Lauren Brown, second runner-up. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Prizes were also awarded to the top three vote-getters for parade conveyance. Allison Stump, Miss Pike Lake, took first place and won $750. Other winners were: Savanna Creekmore, Miss Webster Lake, second place, $500; and Knox, third place, $250.

Ashley Larson, Miss Kuhn Lake, won the community service award and received a check for $100.

The People’s Choice Award for the best theme wear was determined by monetary vote by patrons of the pageant. Half the money was given to the winner and the other half went to the North Webster Lioness Club to help finance its community service projects.

Creekmore won the award for her outfit depicting an archery competitor.

Fisher took home the Miss Congeniality title and $100.

Several contestants at the 2018 Queen of Lakes pageant won awards. Shown are Kirstin Knox, third place, parade conveyance; Savanna Creekmore, second place, parade conveyance, and winner, People’s Choice Award for theme wear; Allison Stump, first place, parade conveyance; Ashley Larson, community service award winner; and Madison Fisher, Miss Congeniality. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Contestants were judged on four events.

• An interview conducted Saturday morning where each contestant met with the judges in a panel-style format. Each candidate was scored on her ability to communicate, thinking on her feet and her answers to the judges’ questions.
• Required participation in the Mermaid Festival Parade.
• Theme wear. Each woman wore an outfit depicting a sport, adhering to this year’s Mermaid Festival theme, “Wide World of Sports.” “Thinking outside the box was encouraged,” said emcee Phil Metcalf.
• Evening gown competition, which “brings an elegant touch to the pageant,” said Metcalf.

Each of the four finalists was asked an onstage question before the winners were determined: “Can you please describe how participating in sports can positively affect our youth today?”

Other pageant contestants were Katelin Ksiezopolski, Miss Golden Lake; Hanna Fitzpatrick, Miss Tippecanoe Lake; Jadelyne Skelton, Miss Wawasee Lake; Abigail Schmucker, Miss Sechrist Lake; Madison Stapleton, Miss Winona Lake; and Ashley Strombeck, Miss Ridinger Lake.

The judges were Barbara Ellen, Jeff Harrell and Brittany Murphy.