Miss Septemberfest Court 2017 chosen following interviews

Five girls have been chosen for the Miss Septemberfest Court 2017 that will serve at the village's big Labor Day weekend festival, which opens Saturday.

The members were picked from 14 candidates who were interviewed earlier this month at the Prairie Center for the Arts.

One of the girls will be designated Miss Septemberfest, an honor that will be announced at a luncheon at noon Friday, Sept. 1, at Schaumburg Golf Club.

Members of the court in alphabetical order are:

• Kaylee Bochenek, 17, a Schaumburg High School student. Her school activities include varsity poms, National Honor Society and musicals, while her volunteer activities include work as a Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 special needs poms coach and as a teacher's assistant at her Polish school.

• Krislyn Cardoza, 16, a Schaumburg High School student. Her school activities include violinist in symphony orchestra, National Honor Society and math team, while her volunteer activities include the Appalachia Service Project and religious education catechist.

• Alekya Mallampalli, 17, a Conant High School student. Her school activities include student council, South Asian Student Association and National Honor Society, while her volunteer activities include Alexian Brothers Hospital and Feed My Starving Children.

• Amy Rodriguez, 17, a Conant High School student. Her school activities include captain of water polo, volleyball and National Honor Society, while volunteer activities include St. Baldrick's emcee and Hott Productions, a charitable, volunteer community theater program.

• Margaret Schleehauf, 17, a Schaumburg High School student. Her school activities include band and class clubs, while her volunteer activities include the Appalachian Service Project and work with AAIM (Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists).

Girls must be between 16 and 19 years old and residents of Schaumburg. They are judged on poise, character, community involvement and knowledge of Schaumburg.

Miss Septemberfest will be presented with a $500 scholarship and each member of the court receives a $250 scholarship from the Schaumburg/Hoffman Rotary Club. The Rotary sponsors the Miss Septemberfest crowning ceremony luncheon and parade float.

The Sons and Daughters of Italy also provide Miss Septemberfest and her court with a scholarship. Each candidate also receives a festival gift bag, trophy, flowers and sash, courtesy of the village and Schaumburg Jaycees.