Stephanie Frey is crowned Miss Washtenaw County by Alicia Jaros, Miss Washtenaw County 2007. Looking on is Katie Lorenz, the winner from 2004 who moved to Chicago and is now Miss Illinois.

During the interview portion of Saturday’s Miss Washtenaw County pageant, one of the contestants was asked this question: What is your response to those who say Miss America is outdated or irrelevant?

Her answer: “Come to a local pageant.”

The Chronicle was already in the audience of about 200 people sitting in the chilly auditorium of Chelsea High School. Most of them seemed connected to the pageant in some way, cheering on a friend or family member. Several audience members were wearing sparkling tiaras and sashes, as current or former title holders: Miss Oakland County, Miss Tip of the Mitt, Miss River Raisin Festival and others. The current Miss Michigan, Ashlee Baracy, and Miss Illinois, Katie Lorenz – both former Miss Washtenaw County winners – were on hand, as were the parents of the current Miss America, Kirsten Haglund (a Miss Michigan from Farmington Hills).

None of these audience members needed convincing that the pageant was relevant.

Lucy Ann Lance was the evening’s MC, leading contestants through a talent competition heavy on modern dance and singing (worth 35% of the total score), a swimsuit and evening gown competition and an interview segment. Here are the questions they were asked, one per contestant:

1. What does being an American mean to you?
2. What is the most important thing you wish to experience in your lifetime?
3. What is your response to those who say Miss America is outdated or irrelevant?
4. How do you handle being the victim of gossip?
5. What is the biggest challenge facing working women today?
6. What modern woman do you most identify with?
7. Who has been an influential role model to your generation?
8. Other than a family member, who is your hero?
9. Do you feel that individuality is more of an asset or a liability?
10. Do you feel the competitive nature of our society increases or decreases our self-esteem?
11. Do you feel that politicians should be spending money on their campaigns, given the state of the economy?
12. Do you think the media has been fair in the coverage of this year’s presidential campaign?
13. After the economy, what is the first issue that you would like our newly elected president to tackle?

The answer to that last question was childhood obesity, which also happened to be the contestant’s platform issue.

Two supporters of contestant Karess Medvecz.

The evening culminated in a bit of drama: The five judges – including Ben Edmondson, principal of Scarlett Middle School, and Michael Yi, a former Pittsfield Township trustee – had ranked the finalists so closely that the auditors needed some extra time to compute the final scores. Lucy Ann Lance smoothly stalled for time, calling over Miss Washtenaw County 1997, Laura Welling Abney, for an impromptu interview. The audience also learned that Gina Valo, Miss Washtenaw County 2003 and Miss Michigan 2007, now works for Google.

The final result was a tie for 1st runner-up between Missy Brown and Ashlynn McGill, with a tearful Stephanie Frey crowned Miss Washtenaw County 2008 amid a shower of confetti and balloons. She’ll receive $2,500 in cash scholarships, as well as more than a dozen gifts that include a wardrobe allowance, a bowling party at Chelsea Lanes and teeth whitening from Fifth Street Dental Care. She’ll compete in the Miss Michigan pageant next year.

Nina Davuluri, a UM student, performed an Indian-inspired dance during the talent competition. Her platform issue: Overcoming racial and cultural discrimination.

Anjel Francisco gave a vocal performance. The Eastern Michigan University student was third runner-up, receiving a $600 scholarship. Her platform issue: Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)

Taryn Hartman’s talent was a colorguard performance. The UM graduate was 4th runner-up, winning a $400 cash scholarship. Her platform issue: 21st century literacy.

Emily McConnell sang a country tune during the talent competition. Her platform issue: Childhood obesity.

Ashley Cambers, a UM graduate, performed a modern dance for her talent segment. Her platform issue: Go Red for Women.

Missy Brown played a jazz composition on the grand piano. A UM student, her platform was cancer prevention awareness. She tied for 1st runner-up.

Karess Medvecz performed a modern belly dance. She’s a Washtenaw Community College student whose platform was supporting the local Red Cross.

Mandy Kitchens, a Washtenaw Community College student, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” She won the pageant’s Viewers Choice award, a prize voted on by the audience. Her platform issue: teen pregnancy prevention.

Ashlynn McGill did a contemporary dance. She’s an EMU student and her platform was mentorship. McGill tied for first runner-up.

Jessica Willis, an EMU student, sang a West Side Story medley during the talent competition. Her platform was preventing sexual assault against young women.

Stephanie Frey’s dance and baton-twirling performance helped her win the pageant and $2,500 in cash scholarships. She attends Western Michigan University and her platform was student leadership.

Rachelle Sweet sang Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About.” The EMU student’s platform was empowering women in business.

Stephanie Rushlow danced to the Robert Palmer song “Simply Irresistible.” The WCC student’s platform was the Make A Wish Foundation.

Ben Edmondson, principal of Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor, was introduced to the crowd as one of five judges.

In the lobby, buttons of the contestants were on sale for supporters.