Miss E.L.

Miss E.L. contestants are announced

EAST LONGMEADOW Ten young women will compete for the Miss East Longmeadow title in the 46th annual pageant, sponsored by the East Longmeadow Jaycees on Feb. 25. The pageant will begin at 7 p.m. at East Longmeadow High School. The master of ceremonies for the evening will be Steve Lacy of WWLP-TV 22.

Also appearing in the evening's production will be Kristin Gauvin, Miss Massachusetts 2005. A native of Worcester, Kristin received a bachelor of arts in Business Management from Assumption College. Her dream is to one day own an elite dance academy.

Approximately $10,000 in scholarships, awards and gifts will be presented to the contestants. The winner will then represent the town at the Miss Massachusetts Pageant in New Bedford in June. The Miss East Longmeadow Scholarship Pageant is a preliminary pageant to the Miss America Pageant. Three runner-ups also will be chosen at the local pageant.

Reigning Miss East Longmeadow, Sherry Manferdini, of East Longmeadow will be present at the pageant to crown Miss East Longmeadow 2006. Sherry is a freshman at the University of Rhode Island.

The 2006 contestants are as follows:

Tamer Plourd is a senior at Minnechaug Regional High School. Tamer is sponsored by Duraclean by Brady and will perform a jazz dance routine.

Apryl MacRae is a senior at East Longmeadow High School. Apryl is sponsored by The Pizza Shoppe and will present a monologue.

Emma Gilbert is a senior at East Longmeadow High School. Emma is sponsored by Century Fitness and will perform a salsa dance routine.

Tempestt Philip is a senior at East Longmeadow High School. Tempestt is sponsored by The Cruise Store and will perform a vocal selection.

Laura Henshaw is a sophomore at Western New England College. Laura is sponsored by Potter Sports Cars and will present a flute selection.

Casey Claffey is a senior at East Longmeadow High School. Casey is sponsored by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - East Longmeadow and will present a monologue.

Danielle Portier is a freshman at Springfield Technical Community College. Danielle is sponsored by Dance Threadz and will perform a jazz dance routine.

Aime Bihler is a senior at East Longmeadow High School. Aime is sponsored by Premier Source Credit Union and will present a piano selection.

Gina Rosati is a freshman at Worcester Stage College. Gina is sponsored by Friendly's in East Longmeadow and will perform a jazz dance routine.

Brittney Devenitch is a sophomore at Holyoke Community College. Brittney is sponsored by Chestnut Hill Rehab and Nursing Center and will interpret a musical piece by using American Sign Language.

Tickets for the pageant are now available at the following locations: Countryside Store, The Cruise Store and Romito & Sons. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Please bring exact change when purchasing your tickets in advance.