Brainerd and Baxter have new princesses

Brainerd and Baxter have new princesses as Shayna Harms was crowned Miss Brainerd and Nicole Harris was crowned Miss Baxter Saturday at the 2017 Brainerd Baxter United States Pageant at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd.

Harms is the 19-year-old daughter of Diana Charboneau, John Charboneau and Todd Harms and Harris is the 20-year-old daughter of Lawre and Michael Harris.

There were 23 contestants competing for one of the nine titles in the Jr Teen, Teen, Miss, Ms Woman and Mrs Divisions.

The other winners are:

• Baxter Junior Teen is Karlie Ray, the 15-year-old daughter of Michelle Ray.

• Brainerd Junior Teen is Kylie Christenson, the 14-year-old daughter of Bethany and Trent Christenson.

• First runner up for Junior Teen is Kelli Allison, the 14-year-old daughter of Crisi Esser and Jazlyn Pare-Allison.

• Miss Brainerd Teen is Emily Johnson, the 17-year-old daughter of Trina and Joe Johnson.

• Miss Baxter Teen is Kaytlin Hart, the 18-year-old daughter of Angela and Ryan Hart.

• First runner up for Miss Teen is Anna Vreeland, the 17-year-old daughter of Joe and Julie Vreeland.

• Brainerd Ms Woman is Heather Aanes.

• Baxter Ms Woman in Tina Brainard.

• Mrs Brainerd is Amanda Helmin.

Vicki Randall, co-director of the pageant along with her husband Bill Musel, said they again had a great group of contestants competing.

"All the girls did a fabulous job and all got along wonderfully," Randall said. "We always encourage our girls to get along and be friendly. We discourage all bullying.

"The pageant went off without a hitch."

Randall said it was nice to see the community support as there were more people than just the parents in the audience. About 300 people attended the pageant, emceed by Billy Satre.

Randall said the princesses will be ready for all of their summer appearances, which will include the Brainerd Fourth of July parade and other events, as well as events in the area, such as Aitkin's Riverboat Days and a summer picnic at Camp Confidence.

The title winners will go on to represent the Brainerd and Baxter area in the 2018 Miss Minnesota United States pageant in February at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd

Randall said this Friday princesses will leave to compete in nationals scheduled July 1-8 in Orlando, Fla. Competing will be Miss Teen Minnesota Hannah True of Brainerd; Miss Junior Teen Hannah Asland of Pillager; Little Miss Minnesota Maddison Franzen of Pillager; Miss PreTeen Midwest Gabriella Miller of Brainerd; and Miss PreTeen Minnesota Kiley Hart of Brainerd.

Also at the pageant, Chayse Pickar, the 16-year-old daughter of Angie and Pat Pickar, was named Miss Congeniality.

Annes won the Quinn Nystrom's Community Service Award, where she received a $500 check. Aanes will get to keep half the check and give the other half to a charity of her choice. Aanes has multiple sclerosis and her platform is "Heather Accessible."

For more photos go to https://goo.gl/7g2s7o