2016 RoseQueen Ashley Sierminski, 2017 RoseQueen Emily Downs and 2017 Miss Jackson County Teen USA Clair Brown. JTV Photo.

The Jackson County Rose Festival crowned two new Queens this weekend:  Emily Downs was the winner of the 2017 Miss Jackson County RoseQueen Scholarship Pageant Saturday night and Clair Brown won the Miss Jackson County Teen USA Pageant Friday night.

Both pageants, held at Western High School were well attended with boisterous audiences cheering on their favorite contestants.  In the RoseQueen Pageant, ten young women competed in interview, swimsuit, evening gown, platform statement and talent competitions.  Interviews, conducted in the afternoon by the panel of judges, accounted for 35% of the scoring.

Emily Downs, a student at Jackson College and graduate of Western High School, will serve as 2017 Miss Jackson County RoseQueen.  Her reign will culminate with the Miss Michigan USA pageant in September, 2018 in Port Huron.  Emily’s platform issue is “Helping Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” and the talent she performed was an archery demonstration.

While giving up her crown, 2016 RoseQueen Ashley Sierminski will compete in the Miss Michigan USA pageant next month.  Ashley previewed her gown for the state competition and shared a farewell during Saturday night’s pageant.

Runner up to Miss Art Moehn Auto Group Emily Downs was Miss House of DeVaughn Bridal Koryanna Beavers, a student at Jackson College and graduate of Jackson High School.  Miss Fox 47 News Jennifer Holubowicz, Miss ERA Reardon Realty Abbigail Nelson and Miss Pro Image Uniforms Emily Blakeman also made the Top Five.

Over $160,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded at the RoseQueen Pageant, including scholarships from Albion College, Jackson College, Spring Arbor University and Baker College.

Other awards:  Miss Congeniality, Mackenzie Fairbanks;  Community Service, Jennifer Holubowicz; Miss Photogenic, Morgan Bell; Ad Sales, Jennifer Holubowicz.

While the panel of judges deliberated and Willis & Jurasek auditors tabulated scoring, entertainment was provided by singer Emily Tschirhart and gymast Maddison O’Neal.

In Friday night’s competition, Miss Art Moehn Auto Group Clair Brown, won the Miss Jackson County Teen USA crown.  Clair’s platform is “Change your Community, Put Your Two Cents In” and her talent was a singing performance.

First runner up was Miss ERA Reardon Realty Jayden Bahlau.  Miss Comerica Lindy Kelso, Miss Walton Insurance Group Emily Mast and Miss JTV Brianna Bailey rounded out the Top Five.

Clair, 16, will be a junior at Northwest High School this fall.  She is the daughter of Scot Brown and Windy Hartman Chmiel.

Other awards:  Miss Congeniality, Clair Brown; Community Service, Emily Mast and Clair Brown(tie); Essay, Clair Brown; Evening Gown, Brianna Bailey; Activewear, Clair Brown; Talent, Lindy Kelso.

Jim Francis, President of Jackson Community Federal Credit Union and former Rose Festival Board President, served at Master of Ceremonies at both pageants.