Macy Bischoff crowned Miss Pulaski County 2015

Macy Bischoff of Winamac was crowned Miss Pulaski County 2015 at the annual pageant Sunday (July 5), during the Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair.

Members of her court are first runner-up Melissa Bailey and second runner-up Alyssa Bushman, who also was named the People's Choice. Miss Bischoff was also voted Miss Congeniality.

Macy Bischoff of Winamac was crowned Miss Pulaski County 2015 at the annual pageant Sunday night, held at the Winamac Community High School socialtorium. She is shown with (l-r) 2014 Queen Justine Kruger, first runner-up Melissa Bailey, and second runner-up Alyssa Bushman who also won the People's Choice award. Miss Bischoff was also chosen as Miss Congeniality.

Justine Kruger, Miss Pulaski County 2014, crowned her successor following a glittering evening of professional wear, evening gown and impromptu question competition. Six contestants competed for the title at the pageant which was held at the Winamac Community High School socialtorium.

For the third year, a People’s Choice prize was given at the queen pageant. This award gives the community a chance to vote for its favorite candidate and serves as a fundraiser to help cover pageant expenses and prizes for the candidates. Votes were $1 each and voting took place from 6 to 8 p.m. before the pageant.

The candidates met once each week since mid-May to prepare for the pageant with training in make-up, public speaking and interviewing, along with rehearsals, mock judgings, club appearances and other events.

Preliminary judging was held before the pageant. Three out-of-county individuals  judged the contestants. 

Masters of Ceremonies for the pageant were Miss Indiana State Fair 2014 Alyssa Garnett and her mother Cyndi who is also a former Miss Pulaski County. The pageant committee includes Bailey Hoover Medley, Ashley Reinhold, Alyssa Tellez, Lindsey Winter, Lindsey Seats, Cortney Brandt, and Alyssa Garnett.

The new queen and her court will receive cash and other prizes. The queen will also receive a crown, a dozen roses, a sash, and a queen’s pin for the year in memory of 1981 Miss Pulaski County Sharon Powers. The runners-up also receive prizes, tiaras, and sashes.

The new queen will also compete for the title of Miss Indiana State Fair. on Jan. 10, 2016 in Indianapolis The state pageant was moved last year from August to January.

The local pageant is made possible through the sponsorship of many local clubs and area merchants.

All contestant photos were generously provided by GFB Photography, located in downtown Winamac.

The 2015 Miss Pulaski County contestants were:

 

Briana Gallegos Melissa Bailey
Olivea Gorby Macy Bischoff
Kallie Rassmussen Alyssa Bushman
   

Contestant # 1

Briana Gallegos

Sponsor: Winamac Coil Spring

Briana is the 19-year-old daughter of Margie and Jerry Gallegos of Winamac. She is a 2015 graduate of Winamac Community High School. Briana is active in Sunshine Society, managing the football team, basketball and softball. Briana was recognized for being so caring and helpful to the Winamac Warrior football team. She will attend Central Georgia in the fall where she will major in early education. After she finishes school, she hopes to become a teacher.

 

Contestant # 2

Melissa Ann Bailey

Sponsor: Patchwork Pals ‘76

Melissa is the 18-year-old daughter of Glenn and Dawn Bailey of Winamac. She is a 2015 graduate of Winamac Community High School. Melissa is active in cross country, cheerleading, track, National Honor Society, Student Council, Sunshine Society, FCS and SADD. Some of Melissa’s awards and special recognitions include being the 2014 State Fair Fashion Review Champion, 2015 WCHS Athlete of the Year, cheerleading MVP, receiving the National Scholar Athlete Award, distinguished honor roll, presidential academic honors and 11 varsity letters. Some of her community activities include working the Pulaski County toy drive, organizing a Special Olympics race, 4-H Trick-or-Treat so Others Can Eat, Rocking for Riley and 4-H fair clean up. Melissa will attend the University of Indianapolis where she will major in physical therapy. She will also be a cheerleader for the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds.

 

Contestant # 3

Olivea Mercedes Eschelman-Gorby

Sponsor: Go To Parts

Olivea is the 17-year-old daughter of Christiana Bierrum of Winamac. She will be a senior at Winamac Community High School. Olivea is active in cheerleading, softball, musicals, drama, SADD, Student Council, Sunshine Society, FCA, Robotics, Key Club, National Honor Society and FPS. Olivea has received the JV cheerleading award her freshman and sophomore year, she is the vice president of SADD and will be the co-president of the Sunshine Society. Some of her community activities include wrapping presents, cleaning up the park, walking with the elderly and collecting school supplies for Sunshine Society. She hopes to one day be a journalist.

 

Contestant # 4

Macy Michelle Bischoff

Sponsor: Knebel Insurance  

Macy is the 19-year-old daughter of Becky Dixon and Ron Bischoff of Winamac. She is a 2014 graduate of Winamac Community High School. While in high school, Macy was active in volleyball, managing the football team, basketball, softball, FFA, Sunshine Society, freshman representative, sophomore representative, historian, and senior representative. At Manchester University, Macy is active in the Sports Management Club, SAAC and Manchester Softball. Some of Macy’s awards and special recognitions include WKVI Player of the Game (softball), 4-H reserve champion gilt, champion 12-16 month doe, All Conference, All-Sentinel, All Loganland, North/South All-star and East/West All-star.  Some of her community activities include 4-H, St. Peters Catholic Church, Toys for Tots, Rocking for Riley, board of directors for the Indiana Junior Boer Goat Association, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, and Primetime at the Perc. She hopes to one day be an athletic director. Macy attends Manchester University and is studying sport management, coaching and sales.

 

Contestant # 5

Kallie Taylor Rasmussen

Sponsor: Get Fit 24/7 Nonstop

Kallie is the 18-year-old daughter of Judy and Jeremey Rasmussen of Star City. Kallie is a 2015 graduate of Winamac Community High School. She is active in Sunshine Society, FFA, softball, Student Council, basketball, SADD, Key Club and National Honor Society. Some of Kallie’s awards and special recognitions include being on the distinguished honor roll, regular honor roll, 2014 Academic All-Conference for softball, Most Improved in softball in 2014 and the 2015 Academic Excellence Award. Her community activities include coaching the fall soccer league, babysitting for the elementary, toy and food drives, ringing the bells for the Salvation Army and working at the Dairy Queen. This fall Kallie will attend Purdue University. She hopes to become a physical therapist. 

 

Contestant # 6

Alyssa Bushman

Sponsor: Patio Drive-In

Alyssa is the 18-year-old daughter of Donna and Timothy Bushman of Winamac. She is a 2015 graduate of West Central High School.  Alyssa is an active member of BPA, FCA, Sunshine Society, National Honor Society, Art Club, Student Council, cheerleading, cross country, crack, and is the wrestling manager. Alyssa’s awards and special recognitions include being the 2014 Homecoming Queen, 2015 Snowcoming Queen, numerous cheerleading and dance awards, 11 varsity letters, placing third at the 2015 BPA District Competition in extemporaneous speeches, two-time track regional qualifier and many band awards. Some of her community activates include the First Christian Church Youth Group, volunteer at BRIDGES, volunteer at HDC and many more. This fall, Alyssa will attendi Kansas State University where she will major in mechanical engineering with a nuclear concentration. One day Alyssa hopes to work for NASA where she will create power sources for space craft or create nuclear power for third-world countries.