Ten compete for Miss Cary and Miss Fox River Grove titles

Ten students will be competing for the titles of Miss Cary and Miss Fox River Grove in the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Rising Stars Business Scholarship Pageant. 

The pageant will be held at Cary-Grove High School at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the door.
 
The Business Scholarship Pageant trains contestants in pubic speaking, interviewing and professional development skills. Contestants are judged on their high school involvement and community service, interviewing skills and public speaking abilities during the pageant. There is also an evening gown competition and other events. Winners receive business scholarships and other prizes.
 
This year, seven contestants are running for the title of Miss Cary:
 
Jessie Gronset is a junior at Cary-Grove High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s swim team. Gronset volunteers for the Cary-Grove Food Pantry and has attended mission trips to Chicago and New Orleans. She also teaches Sunday school to preschoolers. Gronset plans to attend culinary school then business school after high school.
 
Alizabeth Loch, a junior at Cary-Grove, is on the varsity pom squad and is student council leader, member of the speech team, math team and National Honor Society. She serves as a peer minister at her church and has volunteered for Home of the Sparrow, NIRSA and the Cary Basketball Association.  She plans to attend a coastal college.
 
Laura Mintert is a junior at Cary-Grove High School and member of National Honor Society, swim team, Link Crew, Interact and choir. She has volunteered at NIRSA, for community events and the food pantry. Mintert received “The Most Spirited” award from her swim team. She plans to go into the hospitality field after college.
 
Gabrielle Perez is a junior at Cary-Grove High School. She was involved in the school’s Spanish Club, choir, Link Leaders and student council. Perez has worked during most of her high school career.  She plans to major in biology and minor in nutrition in college and be a dietary nutritionist.

Melissa Ritthaler is a junior at Cary-Grove High School and plays on the volleyball team. She is also involved in track and Link Leaders. Ritthaler is a volunteer volleyball coach in Fox River Grove. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field and hopes to help people around the world.
 
Maggie Teper is a junior at Cary-Grove High School, a member of Swing Choir and involved in the school’s musical productions. Teper has participated in many community service projects such as Feed My Starving Children and Faith in Action.  She is considering studying English in college and pursuing journalism or teaching.
 
Abbe Wienckowski is also a junior at Cary-Grove High School.  She is a member of National Honor Society, the school softball team, track, and Interact. She plans to work as a nanny this summer. Wienckowski plays piano, sings, dances and has been involved in the school’s musical. Wienckowski wants to become a nurse specializing in pediatric care.
 
Contestants running for the title of Miss Fox River Grove:
 
Samantha Adams is a junior at Cary-Grove High School, a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Link Leaders and Spanish club. She helped coordinate the Mr. Cary Grove showcase and plan the homecoming parade at the school. Adams plans to study business and Spanish in college.
 
Lizzy Dyrek is a junior at Cary-Grove and a member of National Honor Society, Interact, and the basketball and track teams. She served on the Junior Class Committee. Dyrek has coached basketball and pitching for youth in Fox River Grove and Cary. She plans become a Spanish and math teacher.
 
Janina Mach is a Cary-Grove High School junior and a member of the volleyball and track teams. She has coached volleyball to youth in Fox River Grove. She has volunteered in the community for the Mack Manor Haunted House, raising money for youth sports programs in FRG.  She plans to go to college in North Carolina and pursue a career in writing.