Brainerd/Baxter new royalty named

Brainerd and Baxter now have new royalty.

The Miss Brainerd United States Pageant was held Saturday at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd. The winners were: Courtney Weinrich, Miss Jr Teen Baxter; Maddie Langley, Miss Teen Baxter; Jackie Thurlow, Miss Baxter; Maggie Thurlow, Miss Brainerd; Lizzy Thurlow, Miss Teen Brainerd; and Alissa Haglin, Miss Jr Teen Brainerd.

Other winners were:

• In the Jr Teen Division, the second runner up was Jasmine Townsend and first runner up was Chayse Pickar.

• In the Teen Division, the second runner up was Kaytlin Hart and first runner up was Haley Helmin.

• In the Miss Division there was only a first runner up which was Nicole Harris.

Individual category awards were as follows:

• Swim Suit: Jackie Thurlow.

• Evening Gown: Jackie Thurlow.

• Interview: Jackie Thurlow.

• Runway Model Award: Courtney Weinrich.

• Miss Congeniality: Maggie Thurlow.

The pageant offered a new award this year sponsored by Quinn Nystrom-a community service award, titled "Quinn's Quest for Community Service." Each contestant who was interested in applying for the award filled out a questionnaire about their volunteerism and community service. Nystrom then chose the top five, who were all recognized at the pageant and the winner was announced during the awards portion of the pageant. The winner of the 2016 Quinn's Quest for Community Service Award was Karlie Ray. She will receive a $250 scholarship for herself and $250 to give to a charity or organization of her choice. The $500 was donated by Nystrom.

There were 400 people who attended the pageant this year who came to see a historic number of 23 local contestants. Organizers stated in a news release that there has not been this many contestants since the late 60s/early 70s.

All of the new queens will go on to represent Brainerd and Baxter in the 2017 Miss Minnesota United States Pageant which will take place in February of 2017.

The contestants who competed were:

Junior Teen Division

Jasmine Townsend, 14, daughter of Kerry Townsend and Heidi Balvik-Townsend, sponsored by Hair Force One.

Alissa Haglin, 14, daughter of Tom and Ellen Haglin, sponsored by Lindar.

Bailee Frame, 14, daughter of Melissa and Michael Frame, sponsored by Micronet and Pauline's Tailor Shop.

Grace LePage, 15, daughter of Janine and David LePage, sponsored by Bigwood Timber Frames, Cascade Med Spa and Laser Center and Laury LePage.

Chayse Pickar, 15, daughter of Pat and Angie Pickar, sponsored by Elite Underground.

Courtney Weinrich, 14, daughter of Tasha and Darcy Weinrich, sponsored by Can Am Tactical K9.

Maia Halonen, 14, daughter of Trisha Halonen and Dale Menk, sponsored by Guidepoint Pharmacy.

Karlie Ray, 14, daughter of Michelle Ray, sponsored by Just For Kix, Rice Lake Construction, Klink Construction and Easy Riders.

Fayleigh Hausken, 13, daughter of Annamarie Hausken and Dustin Hausken, sponsored by Affordable Bail Bonds.

Stephanie Whiting, 13, daughter of Michelle Whiting and Gregory Whiting, sponsored by Dirt Diggers Repair and Landscaping, Dan's Catering Company and Mr. Tire.

Teen Division

Megan Doran, 18, daughter of Mike and Wendy Doran, sponsored by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home.

Maddi Langley, 16, daughter of Garrett and Mandy Pfiffer, sponsored by Julie Ingleman Designs and Moxy Hair Salon.

Ayla Madsen, 15, daughter of the late Curtis Madsen, sponsored by Greenheck Auto Glass.

Kaytlin Hart, 16, daughter of Angela and Ryan Hart, sponsored by Privileged Model Management, Lake Country Management and Northern Family Chiropractic.

Lizzy Thurlow, 18, daughter of Mimi Thurlow and the late Scott Mike Thurlow, sponsored by Purple Cross and Greater Lakes Appraisal.

Vanessa Sellner, 16, daughter of Lori and Gregg Sellner, sponsored by Nisswa A&W.

Sheyla Jensen-Boyes, 18, daughter of Kimberly Jensen and Steve Lee, sponsored by Military Order of the Purple Heart Brainerd Lakes Chapter 194.

Shania Gallager, 16, daughter of Keith Gallager and Vickie Foreman, sponsored by Fancy Pants Chocolates and O'Neary's Irish Pub.

Haley Helmin, 15, daughter of Amanda and Kyle Helmin, sponsored by B. Johnson and Associates and Northland Construction.

Chloe Craigie, 16, daughter of Rhonda Lindley, sponsored by Totally Kidz and Flame Nutrition.

Miss Division

Nicole Harris, 19, daughter of Micheal and Lawre Harris, sponsored by The Bird's Nest Bar and Grill.

Jackie Thurlow, 23, daughter of Mimi Thurlow and the late Scott Mike Thurlow, sponsored by Ernie's.

Maggie Thurlow, 25, daughter of Mimi Thurlow and the late Scott Mike Thurlow, sponsored by Dr. Kurtis Waters and Cascade Med Spa and Laser Center.