Miss Septemberfest named

Conant High School swimmer Kelsey Ehrhardt skipped practice on Friday, but with good reason: the junior was crowned Miss Septemberfest at a luncheon of the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Rotary Club.

"I think my coaches will understand," said Ehrhardt, 16. "I told them it's a big deal."

Ehrhardt emerged from five finalists to win the title during the coronation ceremony, which played out 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.

Her court includes Schaumburg High School seniors Ellen Finneran and Melinda McMahon, Conant senior Katie McGowan, and Hoffman Estates High School senior Samantha Neumer.

"I've grown up in Schaumburg and always seen Miss Septemberfest on the float in the parade," Ehrhardt said. "It always looked like fun, and when I found out later that you had to be involved in your community, I thought it would be fun thing to do."

Rotary Club members drew 16 young women from Schaumburg who all wanted to win the role. They were judged during an opening interview process that weighed their community involvement, knowledge of Schaumburg, poise and character.

"We see Miss Septemberfest as being a liaison between the village of Schaumburg and all the festival goers," says Cara Mohr, who coordinated the selection. "We look for girls that are involved in their community and are future leaders among their peers."

Ehrhardt offered that and more. She handles community relations for the executive board of Conant's student council, while also serving as a member of her junior class council and on the Spanish Club.

She also plays soccer and is on the swim team, and serves as the youth representative on the evangelism board or welcoming committee of her church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Hoffman Estates.

"We think she's a great representative of Schaumburg," Mohr added. "She's bright and outgoing, just kind of like the girl next door."

With the title, Ehrhardt won a $500 scholarship, while the four finalists in her court each won a $250 scholarship, all donated by the Sons and Daughters of Italy.