Miss Septemberfest gets her crown Friday

Miss Septemberfest 2013 will be crowned today during a luncheon at Poplar Creek Golf Club in Hoffman Estates in an event that serves as an unofficial kickoff to Schaumburg’s three-day Septemberfest celebration.

She will be chosen from a court of five candidates who were selected earlier this month from a field of 20 applicants. Miss Septemberfest will receive a $500 scholarship and each member of the court will receive a $250 scholarship from the Schaumburg/Hoffman Rotary Club, which is sponsoring the luncheon.

Candidates are between 16 and 19 years old and reside in Schaumburg. They are judged on four criteria: poise, character, community involvement, and knowledge of Schaumburg.

Initial interviews were conducted Aug. 17, with the five court members moving on to a second round of interviews.

Besides the scholarships, each member of the court will receive a spa day from Dazzles Salon to prepare for the village’s Labor Day parade on Monday, gift certificates from Mario Tricoci, as well as a festival gift bag, trophy, flowers, and sash courtesy of the Village of Schaumburg and Schaumburg Jaycees.

The five court members are:

Ÿ Carolyn Gassmann, 17, Conant High School. Activities: Orchesis, Senior Class Council, Spanish Honor Society. Volunteer activities: Gigi’s Playhouse and St. Matthew’s Bible Camp

Ÿ Carly Bryeans, 16, Conant High School. Activities: varsity golf, reporter and photographer for school newspaper and Sophomore Class Council President. Volunteer activities: Feed My Starving Children and St. Hubert Youth Ministry

Ÿ Sarah Meyer, 17, Schaumburg High School. Activities: Captain of Orchesis, choir, and National Honor Society. Volunteer Activities: English language learning volunteer and Sunday school teacher.

Ÿ Laura Jensen, 18, North Central College. Activities: dance team at college; Pom-poms and Orchesis at Conant High School. Volunteer activities: vacation Bible school Camp Counselor and dance teacher for Rise Dance Center.

Ÿ Maggie Schroeder, 19, Harper College. Activities: Harper Honors Program and Study Abroad. Volunteer activities: Catholic Schools Band Camp counselor and Habitat for Humanities.