Miss Lassen County contestants vie for title
It’s going to be a different Miss Lassen County Pageant this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Shelley Bennett, class advisor at Lassen High School, “We were approved to hold the pageant on Friday, July 24 with family only in attendance.”
In normal years, the Miss Lassen County Pageant is one of the big highlights of the Lassen County Fair.
Here’s some information on this year’s contestants.
Tristen Struthers
Tristen Struthers is the daughter of JT Struthers and Marilyn Kerby. She is 17-years old and is sponsored by Jeff and Meredith Chew of Pizza Factory and Terry and Debbie Savage of Savage Feed. Struthers is playing “Seven Years” on the piano and says she’ll miss the shaved ice at the fair this year.
Molly Bettencourt
Molly Bettencourt is the 17-year old daughter of Cliff and Jessica Bettencourt. She is sponsored by the 140-Squad Club and Susanville Elks Lodge #1487. Bettencourt is dancing to “The Greatest Show” and will miss turkey legs, shaved ice, tri tip sandwiches, corn dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade and all fried food goodness at the Lassen County Fair.
Brooklyn Smith
Brooklyn Smith is the 16-year old daughter of Scott and Jennifer Smith. She is sponsored Susanville Paint Center and Town and Country Real Estate. Smith’s talent is public speaking on the topic “Not all Heroes Wear Capes.” She was looking forward to experiencing her first Lassen County Fair and thinks that next year will be even better.
Rylee Friddle
Rylee Friddle is the 16-year old daughter of Donna Alexander and Ryan Friddle. She is sponsored by Milwood Florist and Nursery and Diamond Mountain Seamless Gutters. Friddle is giving a speech for her talent on the topic “Living Your Best Life.” She will miss the early morning squeals of the pig barn this year.
Julia Bias
Julia Bias is the 17-year old daughter of Tara and Dwayne Bias. She is sponsored by State Farm Insurance and the Red Lion Inn. Bias is singing “Oceans” during the talent portion and will miss the concerts, rides, and corn dogs of the Lassen County Fair.
Ronnie Merrill
Ronnie Merrill is the 17-year old daughter of Tawnya and Ed Merrill. She is sponsored by Auto Pro Collision and Holly and Richard Egan of the Egan Ranch. Merrill is planning a theatrical combination of dancing and singing for the talent portion. She says will miss all the contests the Junior Fair Board participates in.
Brianna Hawks
Briana Hawks is the 16-year old daughter of Janelle and Jason Hawks. She is sponsored by the Rocking Circle M Ranch and Susanville Supermarket, IGA. Hawks is singing “Hallelujah” as her talent and will miss the socialization of seeing everyone at fairtime.
Autry Satica
Autry Satica is the 17-year old daughter of Doug and Carrie Satica. She is sponsored by Zaengles Carpet One Floor and Home and Michelle Hunter Farmers Insurance. Satica’s talent is public speaking on the topic “Making a Difference One Starfish at a Time.” She’ll miss all the junior fair board antics and helping out her grandma in the fair office.
Candidates in this year’s Miss Lassen County Pageant, to be held Friday, July 24 with only family members present due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contestants compete in interview, community service, scholastics, talent, impromptu questions and speech competitions. Photos by Karen Westfall Photography
