By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Marisa Viestenz seemed destined to win an "On Broadway" Miss Cass/St. Joseph County 2006 Scholarship Program because that or a cruise ship is where she wants dancing to take her.
That premonition was further reinforced during the opening number, ABBA's "Dancing Queen."
Plus, she finished second runner-up last August to Rose Phillips of Edwardsburg, a Bethel College graduate and opera singer who will be teaching choir at South Bend's Washington High School, and another vocalist, Amanda Green of Vandalia.
Plus, Marisa finished first runner-up to 64th Miss Dowagiac Kristin Rose the year she graduated from Union High School, 2003.
And her mother, as Patricia Froehlich, reigned as Miss Dowagiac 1978.
A Dowagiac contestant had not won the county pageant in almost 20 years until 2004's Jessica Cuthbert.
Dancing has already transported Marisa to Oklahoma City University, where she begins her junior year today after a 14-hour drive that was to begin as soon as she finished brunch Sunday at Pageant Director Phillip Hurlbutt's home on White Street, Cassopolis.
Turns out there was more riding on Saturday night's pageant at Southwestern Michigan College than a crown or $1,200 in scholarship money.
The outcome settled Marisa's bet with Hurlbutt that if she and her "Take Heart: Cardiac Care for Women" platform prevailed from seven contestants the Niles florist would quit smoking.
Marisa said she spent her summer taking classes at Lake Michigan College, teaching dance and waitressing at Texas Corral, a Benton Harbor restaurant.
Her yellow mermaid-style gown with fuchsia beading and a sweetheart neckline, which she selected over a blue dress, reminded her mother of her daughter - "bright and sunny and cheerful."
During the interview the audience didn't see, Marisa said judges quizzed her on her platform and on current events. "I knew (Jennifer Granholm) was governor, but I thought she was a Republican, not a Democrat," she winced. "Other than that I did OK. They asked me how to pronounce 'Doe-wah-jack.' "
At Oklahoma City, the 5-foot-4, blue-eyed blonde is majoring in dance performance and minoring in history, intending to audition for cruise ships and a Broadway show "and see where it takes me, to travel and see the world." Contestant 7 performed a lyrical dance to Faith Hill's "Breathe" and chose a blue bikini for swimsuit competition.
While she was but a girl during the April 1995 federal building bombing, "I'm right in the city, five minutes away from where the bombing happened.They just had the 10-year anniversary, so a bunch of people came down again for that. I cry every time," she said.
Marisa's first runner-up, 2004 Miss Cassopolis Linaya Hass, is her closest friend in the contest from years of dance together.
Linaya, the 18-year-old daughter of Dean and Glenda Hass, will be a freshman studying marine science at the University of South Carolina. She gets a $500 scholarship.
Contestant 4 graduated with the Class of 2005 from Ross Beatty High School. She wants to obtain her master's degree and pursue a career in marine biology. Her platform was "Opportunities 101: The Importance of Involvement in Extra-Curricular Activities," her talent a jazz dance to Tina Turner's "Proud Mary."
Second Runner-up Laura Eileen Harness, 19, was Miss Edwardsburg in 2003. This fall Laura, daughter of Tim and CIndy Harness, will be a sophomore at The University of Michigan's pre-dental program, majoring in psychology and minoring in biology.
Contestant 1, Haley Ann Stevenson, 20, of Niles, graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 2002. She will be a sophomore at Baker College in Muskegon to obtain her bachelor's degree in human services, a master's degree in social work and become a certified family therapist. Haley's platform was "The Struggle Against Domestic Violence," her talent a vocal rendition of "Big Spender." Her parents are David and Shirley Behm. Haley won $50 for ad sales and a Miss America gift in the People's Choice fundraiser during intermission.
Contestant 2, Sara Ann Lawrence of Dowagiac, graduated from DUHS with Marisa in 2003 and is attending SMC. Sara, 20, is majoring in business administration to become a management assistant. The daughter of Tom and Lynne Lawrence promoted special education and tap danced to Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust." Sara won $50 for most ticket sales.
Contestant 3, Amanda Carol-Ann Pegura, 19, of Edwardsburg, graduated from EHS in 2004. She is double majoring in occupational therapy and sports medicine and minoring in chemistry at Western Michigan University, where she will be a sophomore. "I would someday like to work for a major sports team and go in the direction in which God leads me," she says. Amanda, daughter of Colleen Pegura, danced to "All That Jazz" and promoted hearing and speech impaired awareness.
Contestant 6, Amber Kay Webb, 17, will be graduating from Centreville High School in 2006. The daughter of Ronald and Darla Webb had a platform of "Feeding and Clothing Tomorrow's Leaders Through FFA" and performed an interpretive dance to "Reflection" in white gloves and a mask.
All non-finalists earn $150 scholarships.
Past and present royalty in attendance included Miss Cass County 2000 Melissa Prestine of Niles, Miss Cass County 2001 Stacie Barthel of Niles, Miss Cass County 2004 Jessica Cuthbert of Dowagiac, Miss Cassopolis 2005 Ashley Solloway and Miss Dowagiac 2005 Courtney Dufour and her court, Katie Wright and Keera Morton, Miss Dowagiac 2004 Brittany Winters and Cass County Fair Princess Hannah Montgomery.
Five judges considered talent (35 percent), private interview (25 percent), evening wear (15 percent), a new casual wear segment for which some contestants wore blue jeans (10 percent), swimsuit to "Hair" (10 percent) and on-stage questions (5 percent).
Judging were: 1996 Miss Cass County Kimberly Leep Kok, now a mother of three in Hopkins; Kathleen Sullivan, a three-time Miss Muskegon County; Tim Brown, a funeral director; Art Shook, a 2002 "Survivor" semi-finalist from Martin; and Cheryl Teters, a Middleville nurse who produces the Miss Barry County pageant.
Rehearsals were conducted at Encore Dance Company at Lincoln Community Center in Dowagiac.
Young women ages 17 to 24 who live, work or attend school in either Cass or St. Joseph County are eligible to compete. The queen is available for public appearances, including parades, grand openings, festivals and luncheons.
To book Miss Cass/St. Joseph County or to become a contestant, e-mail mpres09@yahoo.com.