Schaumburg parade queen at home on football field, in classroom
A Schaumburg High School senior, more at home on the football field than in a royal court, was crowned Miss Septemberfest on Friday in Schaumburg.
Allyson Lopshire of Schaumburg, emerged from the five finalists to win the title during the coronation ceremony, which played out before a luncheon crowd of 130 guests at Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates.
She now will reign over the village's Septemberfest, the three-day Labor Day festival, including a Monday parade, which opens at 10 a.m. today.
"I'm looking forward to the whole weekend," said Lopshire, an honor student who hopes to study pre-medicine at the University of Notre Dame.
Yet, first things first.
No sooner did Lopshire return home than she changed from her dress and tiara into her Saxon football jersey. She's one of the head managers of the football team and she needed to be on the sidelines Friday night for the home opener.
Her other high school activities include performing on stage and directing student productions. Lopshire says she entered the Septemberfest competition as a way to be involved in her community outside of high school.
"You never know how extensive and wonderful your community is until you get involved," said Lopshire, the oldest of two children of Dave and Kim Lopshire.
Members of the Rotary Club of Schaumburg Hoffman Estates hosted the pageant. They awarded Lopshire a $500 scholarship, while the four finalists in her court each won a $200 scholarship.
Court members included Conant High School seniors Natalie Bryeans and Sara Cruse, and Schaumburg High School seniors Monica Sanchez and Dana Fiebelkorn, all of Schaumburg.
"Miss Septemberfest represents the best in Schaumburg youth," said Rotary Club member Anita Forte-Scott. "We think of this less as a pageant and more about service and achievement, which is what Rotary is all about."
Guests at the event included representatives from the village and park district, along with many of the 90 Rotarians.
"It's such a positive message," said Jeanne Schlinkmann, Schaumburg Park District executive director. "With all the negative things you read, this is so refreshing to see all these high-achieving young women."