Meet this year’s Miss Lassen County contestants
The annual Miss Lassen County Scholarship Competition is almost here, and the 10 contestants have been busy practicing their talents and public speaking skills.
Be sure to catch the show on the first day of the Lassen County Fair at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the main stage. Tickets are available at the door, at the Lassen County Fair Office, or online.
Izzy Norwood
Izzy, the 17-year-old soon to be high school senior, is competing in this year’s Miss Lassen County competition, and if crowned, she looks forward to meeting new people, inspiring local youth who want to participate in future years and attending the many events.
“I was inspired to run when I saw how much of a role model the girls became to everyone,” Izzy wrote. “I love how involved they became in our community and I wanted to become that involved.”
Along with performing at Eagle Lake Village, participating in parades and helping teach young dancers at the Future Susanville City Kickette performance, Izzy is also a captain on the LHS drill team, a Susanville City Kickette herself, ASB secretary and a competitive dancer. For her talent, Izzy will be dancing — something that’s a passion of hers.
Izzy is the daughter of Tracy and Gaylon Norwood and her sponsors are Crazy J’s Concrete and Guess Plumbing.
Chloe Dodge
If selected at this year’s Miss Lassen County, Chloe Dodge, an upcoming high school senior, is looking forward to going out into the community.
“I love to serve others and can’t wait for the possible opportunity to go and serve in my community,” Chloe wrote.
Chloe was inspired to run for Miss Lassen County when she watched her idol, EmmaLee Lott, run in the 2017 pageant, and although EmmaLee didn’t place, Chloe was inspired by her excitement for the other contestants.
When not preparing for the competition, Chloe can be found devoting her time as a youth leader for summer camps and weekly activities, participating in leadership roles, and participating on the LHS cheer, golf and FBLA teams.
For her talent, she will be playing the prolog to “Beauty and the Beast” on the piano.
Chloe is the 17-year-old daughter of Joe and Jaquelle Dodge. Her sponsors include Haven Studio•Salon, and DBY Design Co.
Jodi Chandler
Inspired by the amazing group of girls and the bonds formed by the contestants, Jodi Chandler is running for the title of Miss Lassen County.
The 17-year-old soon to be high school senior can be found volunteering her time and efforts to Cowboy 911, FFA, FBLA, ASB, helping at church activities like dinners, camps, packing Christmas child boxes, horseback rides and church decorating and clean up. She also helps with sheltering and re-homing animals, donating fish and meat and helping evacuate and shelter people during fires.
If selected as Miss Lassen County, Jodi is looking forward to “Giving back to the generous community that has done so much for my family and I,” she wrote,” adding she wants to spread joy and positivity to everyone she meets, and be a role model for Lassen County youth.
For her talent, Jodi will be telling the story “How Raven Released the Sun” — an Alaskan tale telling how the light of the world came to be. Jodi is telling the story to show her native culture while sharing the enjoyable story.
She is the daughter of Sterling and Alma Chandler and she is sponsored by Critter Keepers.
Alliyah Yerington
Alliyah Yerington always looked up to the Miss Lassen County contestants and heard the process was an amazing, friendship bonding experience.
Now, if crowned the 2021 Miss Lassen County, she looks forward to all the wonderful opportunities and experiences, as well as being able to become even more involved with the community.
Alliyah certainly keeps busy participating with several organizations and volunteer efforts. She volunteers with Holiday with a Hero, serves VFW breakfasts, shops for families in need and makes holiday cards and stockings for senior citizens. She also participates in FBLA, where she serves as the current president, cheer, the Junior Fair Board, CSF and Interact Rotary Club.
For her talent, Alliyah is giving a speech on perseverance. “I have had to overcome many obstacles in my life, one being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Through perseverance and determination I was able to overcome the obstacles that have appeared in my life,” she wrote.
Alliyah is the 16-year-old daughter of Tasia Harrison and Dan Yerington. Her sponsors are All Seasons Heating and Air and Sierra Desert Properties.
Taylore Somerville
If chosen as this year’s Miss Lassen County, Taylore Somerville looks forward to bonding with residents and getting more involved in the community.
Growing up, the 17-year-old almost senior looked up to the contestants, and hopes to give that same feeling to local youth.
“I want to be someone younger kids look up to like I used to when I was younger,” she wrote.
Taylore can be found helping with road and cemetery clean ups, volunteering at LCC Field Day, and she is the vice president for 4-H. She also participates in Grizz Camp, is president of FFA, FBLA, basketball, and is a volleyball captain.
For her talent, Taylor will be performing the song “You Say,” by Lauren Daigle, in American Sign Language.
Taylore is the daughter of Mike and Alison Somerville. Her sponsors are Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch and Carlson Tire Pros.
EmmaLee Rotlisberger
There are many reasons that inspired EmmaLee Rotlisberger to run for Miss Lassen County.
“As an active member in our community through FFA, drill team, dance, Junior Fair Board, and more, there is so much support that comes from all over the county! I want to give back to those who support me and other active teens, and would love to represent a county that gives so much,” she wrote.
If chosen, she looks forward to visiting the fair events with the court, helping at events and working with the Little Miss and Mister court.
She can be found helping teach younger dancers at House of Dance and is a camp counselor at Lassen County Kids Week. She serves as vice president on Susanville FFA and is secretary for Superior Region FFA. She also participates on the LHS Drill team and is serving as Junior Fair Board vice president.
For her talent, EmmaLee will be dancing to “Rise Up,” by Andra Day, as dance has always been a love of hers.
EmmaLee is the daughter of Laura and Mark Rotlisberger. Her sponsors are Idaho Butcher Shoppe and Holly and Richard Egan of Egan Ranch.
Katelyn Rose Sanchez
If crowned Miss Lassen County, Katelyn Rose Sanchez is looking forward to having the ability to help others, and taking the extra step to be more involved in the community.
The 16-year-old soon to be high school senior spends her time volunteering and participating as a disaster service worker, putting up flags with the VFW on Memorial Day, serving at co-captain for the LHS varsity volleyball team, participating on the LHS drill team and serving as the social media officer for the Susanville FFA.
Katelyn was inspired to run for Miss Lassen County for the opportunity to give back, in addition to being inspired by the Satica family.
“With seeing Autry (Satica the 2020 MLC) as a role model through volleyball and now as our current MLC, she was so unique and hardworking, which is what I think I can bring to the table,” Katelyn wrote.
For her talent, Katelyn is doing something that’s fun and showing of her dancing skills.
She is the daughter of Erik and Danielle Sanchez. Her sponsors are Inkd Cuztomz Dezignz and Kaleigh from Salon Adore.
Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith is looking forward to giving back to her community as much as possible if chosen as this year’s Miss Lassen County, helping at Chamber Mixers, fundraisers and community events.
“As far back as I can remember, I have been watching the pageants and seeing Miss Lassen and her court around the fair. As I got older, I learned all of the community service they do and all that is actually involved in the program, and I can’t think of a better way to give back to the community,” she wrote.
Jordan is the class treasurer, the Junior Fair Board secretary and participates with the LHS basketball, softball volleyball and Reno Heat softball teams. She also donates her time with Holiday with a Hero, pitching and hitting lessons, Camp Grizz, and helping people evacuate during fires.
For her talent, she is showing off her pitching skills — something she has put her heart and soul into.
Jordan is the 17-year-old daughter of Jennifer and Brett Smith. Her sponsors are Heather from Hair Hunters and Smiths Pumps.
Katelyn Ernaga
If selected as this year’s Miss Lassen County, Kateyln Ernaga is looking forward to the connections she’ll make with community members, along with giving back.
“As a little girl, I always watched the pageant and looked up to all the girls running. I admired how involved they were and how they were able to help people,” she wrote.
Katelyn is very active in sports and clubs, including Holiday with a Hero, FBLA, volleyball and basketball, where she was a captain for many years on both teams, CSF and more. She also helps teach youth basketball, helping them fall in love with the sport, she assists in packing summer lunches and helped evacuees during the Beckwourth and Sheep fires.
For her talent, Katelyn will be giving a speech titled, “Memories Fade, but impressions last a lifetime.” The speech is about her grandfather, Frank Ernaga, and his impact on her life, helping her become who she is today.
She is the 17-year-old daughter of Jim and Misty Ernaga. Her sponsors are Hydro Clean and Auto Pro Collision.
Georgia Bennett
Upcoming high school senior Georgia Bennett was inspired to run for the Miss Lassen County title to be more involved in the community and participate in the annual event.
If chosen she looks forward to “encouraging little girls to achieve their goals, be present in more activities and be an advocate in keeping Susanville safe and clean,” she wrote.
Georgia participates in a myriad of programs and events, including VBS, the summer lunch program, Awana, teen court, Justice Task Force, Operation Christmas Child, the Uptown tick or treat, the Nutcracker, Frightmare, theater and youth camp.
For her talent, Georgia is performing a modern, lyrical dance to “False Confidence,” by Noah Kahan. Dancing has always been a part of her life, and helps her to be more confident.
Georgia is the daughter of Leyla and Christopher Bennett. Her sponsors are Out of the Woods, and The 503 Report.
Individual pictures by Makenzie Freedman
