“When I heard my name announced as the new 2022 Miss Posen, I was extremely grateful and excited,” Kroll said. “I am proud of myself and all the other contestants. Each one of us did a great job this evening.”

The newly crowned 2022 Miss Posen is looking forward to representing the Posen area and giving back to her community. She begins her reign with heartfelt gratitude.

“I would like to thank the pageant committee for organizing and putting on the pageant,” Kroll said. “Everyone on the committee is so generous and was always there to help with whatever we needed. I would also like to thank my fellow contestants for being a part of this whole experience with me. And last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my parents (Jacob and Tammy Kroll), Ernie Romel (pageant MC), my family, friends, and the whole community of Posen for their support.”

Kroll also took home the awards for Coordination and Fitness, Talent, and Poise and Appearance. For her talent, Kroll performed a self-choreographed uplifting lyrical pointe dance to “You Will Be Found” from the “Dear Evan Hanson” Broadway musical.

Courtesy Photo by Suzette Kandow 2022 Miss Posen, Macy Kroll, and her court, stand on stage at Friday’s pageant. From left to right are Kroll, Sofya Hincka, Shelby Brisbois, First Runner Up, Shelby Donajkowski, and Second Runner Up, Madison Kamyszek.

With its return in 2022, the pageant experience meant a great deal to the new queen and her court.

“Through the past several weeks we have become so close to one another, and we have pushed ourselves to be the best that we can possibly be,” Kroll said.

That was never more evident than when, in what appeared to be a first in the pageant’s history, all five contestants won the congeniality award: Kroll, along with Sofya Hincka, 16, daughter of Eric and Tammy Hincka, Shelby Brisbois, 17, daughter of Kerry Sitar and granddaughter of Richard and Nancy Sitar, Shelby Donajkowski, 17, daughter of Nick Donajkowski and Megan Kuznicki, and Madison Kamyszek, 17, daughter of Greg and Jenna Kamyszek.

Co-chairperson Rachel Rhode was not surprised by the Miss Congeniality outcome.

“This group of wonderful young women have grown close over the past two weeks of pageant preparation, and it shows in their unique way of honoring one another,” Rhode said. “We congratulate our 2022 Miss Posen, Macy Kroll, and her beautiful court!”

Courtesy Photo by Suzette Kandow 2022 Miss Posen, Macy Kroll, stands between her parents, Jacob Kroll and Tammy Kroll, at Friday’s pageant.

First runner up was awarded to Shelby Donajkowski, whose completed performance of a piano arrangement of “Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping Beauty, drew enthusiastic audience support. Madison Kamyszek was awarded second runner up and her talent presentation dazzled the crowd as she solved “3 Rubik’s Cubes in 3 minutes” with seconds to spare.

Rounding out the queen’s court are Sofya Hincka and Shelby Brisbois. For her talent portion, Hincka performed a brightly colorful lyrical ribbon dance to “Here Comes the Sun” that garnered wide-range audience appeal. Brisbois’ talent performance was a genuine crowd pleaser and featured the debut of her song “window ceil girl” as she accompanied on electric guitar.

Rhode is also encouraged by the contestants’ reaction to the overall pageant experience.

“When I ask the contestants what they thought about their pageant experience, the most common answers are, ‘It was even better than I expected,’ ‘I had a blast,’ and ‘I have made relationships and friendships that I never would have had the opportunity to do so if I hadn’t chosen to participate in the program,'” Rhode said.

The opening number was performed by all five contestants to the BG’s “Staying Alive,” choreographed by Hailey Styma of Posen, 2019 Miss Posen First Runner-up and Talent award winner. The high energy piece set the “groovy tone” for the evening’s theme of “Flower Power.” Other entertainment included Hailey Styma’s tap dance routines to “Black Betty,” and “42nd Street,” Mikaela Bannon, Miss Michigan Volunteer’s pointe dance to the theme song from the movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” and Barton City’s own Lisa Deller with her stirring vocal renditions of “When I Found You” and “The Rose.”

Rich Lamb, editor of the Presque Isle County Advance, presented the outgoing 2019-2020 Miss Posen, Brooke Rocco, with her queen’s portrait. Posen Chamber of Commerce President, Andrea Konwinski, thanked Rocco for her service during her 2019-2020 reign and awarded her a scholarship. Rocco’s touching farewell was warmly received, and the completion of her reign recognized with a standing ovation.

In his debut as Master of Ceremonies (MC), Ernie Romel provided the evening’s most profound emotional moment with a tribute to his dear friend and iconic “voice of Posen,” the late Randy Idalski. Romel succeeded Idalski as MC and expertly guided the evening’s entertainment-filled event with relaxed ease and lighthearted humor.

Judges for the pageant included Abbie Kowalski, Dean of Student Support at Alpena Public Schools/Thunder Bay Junior High, Jennifer Murphy, co-owner of MI Northern Espresso & Northern Exposure Tanning of Rogers City, and Todd Kandow, database administrator for Michigan Medicine, from Manchester, Michigan. Auditing services were provided by Theresa Sanford, staff accountant with Schulze, Oswald, Miller, and Edwards PC.

Lighting and sound were provided by Prestige Productions, owned, and operated by Rex and Sherry Manning. Stage makeup artistry was supplied by Michele Styma and Stacy Skiba with Mary Kay products.

The pageant event was sponsored by the Posen Chamber of Commerce: President Andrea Konwinski, Vice President Dennis Goupell, Secretary Meg Romel, Treasurer Kim Wisniewski, and trustees Jay and Jackie Fisher, Jimmie Hentkowski, Lynn Schultz, Mike Wisniewski, and Leslie Konieczny. Also in attendance were this year’s Grand Marshalls for the Posen Potato Festival, Clarence and Angie Yarch.

Co-chairperson Rachel Rhode shared her thoughts on the pageant’s successful return.

“We have been blessed with endless support from the community, chamber, festival, and the most wonderful passionate pageant committee anyone could ask for,” she said. “I am excited for the future of our pageant ,as we have three new members joining the committee for next year. After two years of postponements, we’re back!”

Recognition goes to committee members, including Co-chairperson Laura Idalski, Suzette Kandow, Alletta Misiak, Judy Romel, Terri Romel, and Penny Seilor.