July 15, 2008 — Many young girls dream of being crowned Miss Lassen County and tonight, Tuesday, July 15, one girl’s dream will come true. Seven girls will vie for the crown at the 40th annual Miss Lassen County Pageant, held at 8 p.m., at the main grandstand at the Lassen County Fairgrounds.

Festival seats are $12, Box seats are $10, reserve seats are $8, and general admission is $6. Banner Lassen Medical Center, Ace Hardware, Beauty Corral, Realty World and Lassen Land and Homes sponsor the event.

This year’s contestants are:

Celeste Blakeman
Blakeman, 17, is a senior at Lassen High School. Running for Miss Lassen County has always been a dream, Celeste said.

“For me, Miss Lassen County has always been my role model and I would love to be a role model for my county,” Blakeman said.

If chosen as Miss Lassen County, Blakeman said she wants to help our community become closer to one another and share her love for Lassen County with others.

Blakeman enjoys running and playing guitar. She is involved in many dance classes, plays on the Lassen High School varsity volleyball team and is on the drill team. Blakeman also participates in many school clubs.

She said she enjoys sharing her passion through movement and dance. For the talent portion of the pageant, Blakeman will be performing a lyrical, jazz dance.

Blakeman is the daughter of Stephen and Stephanie Blakeman. She is sponsored by J & J Performing Arts and Mountain Family Circle

Katherine Collett
Collett, 17, is a senior at Lassen High School this year. She said she is running for Miss Lassen County because she wants to get more involved with the community and get close to all the other wonderful girls in the pageant. Collett said she also knows it will be a great experience and a challenge for her.

If chosen as Miss Lassen County, Collett said she would like to see more events take place that will bring people closer together. She also said she hopes to have events involving children because they deserve to have fun and be involved with their community while they are young. She believes it is a great head start for them.

Collett teaches dance, takes ballet and is the drill team coach at Richmond School. She is also a member of Lassen High School’s drill team and is involved with Link Crew.

For the talent portion of the pageant, Collett said she will be dancing because it is her passion. Collett said she wants to show her community what she has worked for her whole life.

Collett is the daughter of Margie and Tom Collett. She is sponsored by New Image Racquetball Gym and D & L Distributing

Kelly Cramer
Cramer, 17, is a student at Lassen High School. Cramer said she is running for Miss Lassen County because she has always wanted to be someone boys and girls look up to.

Ever since she was little and attended the fair, Cramer said she has sought out Miss Lassen County and would love to have children do the same if she were to win.

Cramer said if she is chosen as Miss Lassen County, she hopes she can be a wonderful representative with all the places she will be going.

Her hobbies include playing guitar and singing. Cramer said she really enjoys playing in front of people and gets a thrill out of learning new songs on the guitar.

For the talent portion of the pageant, Cramer said she will be playing the guitar and possibly singing.

Cramer is the daughter of Gail and Stephen Cramer. She is sponsored by The Trytones.

Emily Damm
Damm, 17, is a senior at Lassen High School. She said she is running for Miss Lassen County to give something back to the community and represent the county. Damm said she loves the community; the people are always so friendly and caring.

If chosen as Miss Lassen County, Damm said she hopes to hold park cleanups and promote recycling.

“Our area is so lovely and scenic, we are lucky to live in such a beautiful area and I would like to keep it that way,” she said.

Damm said she would also like to reach out to the youth of the community and serve as a role model to young children, helping them make the right choices.

Her hobbies include singing and art. Damm plays for Lassen Youth Soccer and Lassen High School’s soccer team. She is also the captain of Lassen High School’s drill team, of which she has been a member for three years.

For the talent portion of the pageant, Damm will be singing.

“I love to sing and many have not heard me sing before, so I’m looking forward to showcasing a talent that is unexpected for me.”

Damm is the daughter of Keith and Cheryl Damm. She is sponsored by S.T.A.R. Physical Therapy and Margie’s Book Nook.

Ashleigh Rice
Rice, 19, is a student at Lassen Community College. Rice said she is running for Miss Lassen County because she feels it’s a great way to get involved in her community.

“I love to do community service and this is a great way to do so,” she said.

If chosen as Miss Lassen County, Rice said the first thing she hopes to do is to organize a toy drive. The toy drive would be special, because Rice said she would want the youth to get involved.

Rice’s hobbies include swimming, horseback riding, surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, camping, fishing and hunting.

For the talent portion of the pageant, Rice will be performing a monologue.

She is the daughter of Bryan and Shirley Rice.

Shaylee Unterreiner
Unterreiner, 18, is a student at Lassen Community College. Unterreiner said she is running for Miss Lassen County because she has never done anything like this before and she hopes to make an impact on her peers.

If chosen as Miss Lassen County, one thing Unterreiner said she hopes to accomplish is to give back to the community and be a good role model.

Unterreiner’s hobbies include racing cars, riding horses, playing softball and field hockey, and hanging out with friends and family.

Unterreiner said what she will be doing for the talent portion of the pageant is a surprise.

Unterreiner is the daughter of Brenda and Phil Unterreiner. She is sponsored by the Lassen County Federal Credit Union and Gino’s Auto Body.

Jennifer Williams
Williams, 17, is a senior at Lassen High School. Williams said she has faithfully attended the Miss Lassen County Pageant and loves it. She said she has always wanted to run and now she finally can. She wants to be a role model for all young girls.

If chosen as Miss Lassen County, Williams said she wants to participate in as many activities as possible and make a difference in people’s lives. She said she would also like to start something for children in Susanville to help keep them entertained.

Williams is involved in softball and drill team. Her other hobbies include drawing and fishing with her pink pole.

For the talent portion of the contest, Williams will be tap dancing to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Williams said she tap danced when she was little and is excited to do it again.

Williams is the daughter of Robb and Julie Williams. She is sponsored by Lassen Custom Meats and Honey Lake Firearms.