Gurnee crowns its new 2014 queens

Submitted by Gurnee Community Pageant

Julia Dennen, a junior at Warren Township High School, was crowned Miss Gurnee at the 2014 Gurnee Community Pageant that was held Saturday at Warren Township High School O'Plaine Auditorium.

Thirteen-year-old Melissa Kreppein, an eighth-grader at Woodland Middle School, was selected as the Junior Miss Gurnee, while 9-year-old Teagan Friedlander, a fourth-grader at Woodland Intermediate School, was chosen as the new Little Miss Gurnee.

Twenty young women ages 6 to 22 competed in the "Meet Me at the Masquerade" themed pageant. There are three categories of competition: interview, speech, and formal wear/pop question. The contestants attended pageant rehearsals and practiced at home for the chance to become a Gurnee queen.

"I felt like Taylor Swift at an award show - shocked but so happy and grateful," 16-year-old Julia said. "I can't wait to serve my community and spend time with the other queens; it's going to be such a great year."

As town queens, Julia, Melissa and Teagan serve as ambassadors of Gurnee. They will participate in community events, service projects, and much more during their one-year reign. The queens will also compete in the Lake County Community Pageant this November for a chance to win the prestigious titles of Miss, Junior, and Little Miss Lake County.

"We are thrilled to have three new, wonderful, young ladies representing Gurnee," pageant Executive Director Kylie Brazda said. "Serving as a Gurnee Queen is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they are sure to have an exciting year ahead of them."

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