Miss Russet Pageant contestants announced

SHELLEY – The Shelley area produces not only excellent Russet potatoes but also beautiful, talented young women from whom one will be crowned Miss Russet 2021-22. 

Spud Day is just around the corner, and of course, that means the Miss Russet pageant is too.  This year’s pageant is Wednesday, September 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the Civic Auditorium in Idaho Falls. The tickets are $10 through a contestant or $12 at the door. 

If you can’t make it but want to view the performance, you can watch it live on the Miss Russet Facebook page with a donation button for the ticket’s cost. 

This year, 14 lovely young ladies are participating in the pageant, making for some stiff competition.  An array of talent will be displayed at the pageant – ranging from dancing to singing to piano and guitar playing.  There will also be fiddling and clogging. 

The pageant contestants this year are:

Contestant number one is Zoey Carter.  Zoey is the daughter of Shawn Carter and Melanie Pethtel and was born in Ogden, Utah.  Zoey plans to attend Utah State University, where she hopes to become a personal fitness trainer.  Zoey has been on the Reds Dance team at Shelley High School, where she serves as the team’s captain.  She is a member of the National Honor Society.  Zoey has a strong love for music which has turned into a talent for playing the guitar and singing.  She will perform a vocal solo called “Only Love†by Jordan Smith and will accompany herself on the guitar for her talent.

Contestant number two is Halle Russell.  Halle was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to John and Chris Russell.  Halle plans to attend Utah State University and pursue a career in Early Elementary Education following her grandmothers’ footsteps.  Halle has been on the Shelley High School cheer team all four years and is currently a captain.  She has served the community by being a part of the Mayor’s Youth Council and the Shelley Tree Committee.  She keeps busy with her part-time job at Pick-Me-Up.  Halle will be performing a lyrical dance solo entitled “Rise,†by Andra Day. 

Contestant number three is Morgan Lee Stanger.  Morgan is the daughter of Shannon and Dirk Stanger.  She was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Morgan hopes to attend BYU Idaho and become a piano teacher and composer.  She is involved in the Shelley High School Show Choir and takes honors courses. This year she is serving on the Shelley High School Seminary Council.  She also keeps busy being in the outdoors, acting, and speed walking. Morgan loves to play the piano and has participated in many competitions, including a six-piano festival. For her talent, Morgan will be performing a piano solo called “The Butterfly.â€

Contestant number four is Kaylin Swee Carroll.  Kaylin was born in Rexburg, Idaho, to Sweelin and Ryan Carroll.  She hopes to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho.  Something very important to Kaylin is family, where her future plans include becoming a stay-at-home mom. She has participated in many school musicals at Shelley High School and is a part of the drama club and the student council.  She is a part of the Idaho Falls Sounds Choir and enjoys singing with them. Kaylin loves music, art, reading, and a little bit of dancing.  For Kaylin’s talent, she will be singing an excerpt from “Requiem,†a song from the musical, Dear Evan Hansen.

Contestant number five is Ashlynn Peebles.  Ashlynn was born to Liz and Brandon Peebles in Rexburg, Idaho.  Ashlynn plans to attend BYU Hawaii, where she will pursue her career as a physical therapist.  She is a part of the Shelley High School Cheer Team and the National Honor Society.  She has been a part of student government and natural helpers. She loves to go on all kinds of adventures, traveling to new places, reading books, and riding horses. Her main hobby and talent in life is dance. She was able to star as Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet.  For her talent, Ashlynn will be performing a ballet piece portraying a music-box doll. 

Contestant number six is Gracey Jo Pettingill. Gracey was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Mike and Jennifer Pettingill.  Gracey hopes to attend Idaho State University and study Psychology with an emphasis in P.T.S.D. She hopes to help those who have served our country. She is a varsity cheerleading captain, part of the ski club, and a show choir member. She also participates in cross country and track. Gracey loves action sports such as dirt biking, snowboarding, wakeboarding, or wake surfing.  For Gracey’s talent, she will be performing a vocal solo to Miley Cyrus’s “Butterfly Fly Away.†She will accompany herself on the guitar.

Contestant number seven is Taylor Jae Ottley.  Taylor is the daughter of Steven and Patricia Ottley.  She was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Taylor hopes to attend Utah State University and pursue a career as a Pediatric Nurse. She currently participates in Natural Helpers and has been in student government.  She has lettered in basketball, softball, and volleyball. She is found doing many things outdoors, including driving a 10-wheeler spud truck for her uncle. She has participated in many community service projects, including Relay 4 Life and watering flowers on State Street.  Taylor will be performing a lively piano solo titled “The Great Smoky Mountains.â€

Contestant number eight is Addey Greenhalgh.  Addey is the daughter of Dan and Shannon Greenhalgh.  She was born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.  Addey plans to attend BYU-Idaho and pursue a career in dentistry.  She is the Drama Club president at Shelley High School, a member of the National Honor Society, and a Girl’s State Delegate. Her hobbies include singing, playing the violin, piano, reading, dirt biking, bridge jumping, and traveling by land, sea, or air.  She has served the community at the annual food drive and a humanitarian project.  For her talent, Addey will be performing the well-known fiddling song, “Orange Blossom Special.â€

Contestant number nine is Brooke Hess.  Brooke is the daughter of Eric and Andrea Hess and was born in Rexburg, Idaho.  Brooke hopes to attend Blue Mountain Community College or Dixie State and study to become a physical therapist or psychologist.  She was on the Shelley High School Varsity Soccer Team, where she was chosen for all area second team.   Her hobbies include sports such as soccer, running, pickleball and swimming. She has served the community by helping with food drives and restoration at Bingham Memorial Park.  She enjoys singing and playing the ukulele.  For her talent, Brooke will be performing a vocal solo, “Rise Up,†by Andra Day. 

Contestant number ten is Alexis Lilly Leckington.  Alexis was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Shawn and Denise Leckington.  Alexis hopes to attend BYU-Idaho or Idaho State University to pursue her career as a dental hygienist.  She has been awarded All-State and All-Area volleyball player in Idaho.  She is involved in the National Honors Society and Business Professionals of America.  She enjoys being outdoors with her family, camping, and riding four-wheelers.  She has helped with multiple service projects with Just Serve Shelley and serves on the City of Shelley Tree Committee. For her talent, Alexis will be performing a country clog dance to the music of “Country Girl.â€

Contestant number 11 is Katelyn Anderson.  Katelyn is the daughter of Mikel and Kelly Anderson and was born in Phelan, California.  Katelyn hopes to attend Utah College of Dental Hygiene, studying to become a Pediatric Dental Assistant.  She is currently the president of the Mayor’s Youth Council and Vice President of Key Club.  In addition to being a varsity cheerleader, Katelyn has participated in all city sports. She serves her community as a bell ringer, helps at Gables Senior Center, and is the Easter Bunny at the annual Easter Egg Hunt. For her talent, Katelyn will be performing a self-choreographed hip-hop dance.  

Contestant number 12 is Daisy Johnson.  Daisy was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Joni Wagner Johnson and Joshua Johnson.  Daisy hopes to attend the College of Eastern Idaho, where she will learn business and cooking skills to help open her own brick-and-mortar bakery.  She has participated in track and field races.  Daisy’s hobbies include raising animals, reading, gardening, learning German, and shooting guns.  She helps with her family’s business at the Farmers Market in Idaho Falls.  She serves in many leadership positions in her church.  Daisy will perform a piano solo, “Prelude in C Minor,†by Frederick Chopin for her talent.

Contestant number 13 is Harley Danielle Briggs.  Harley was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Tyghe and Desiree Briggs.  Harley hopes to attend Idaho State University, where she will pursue a career as a psychologist.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and the president of the Shelley High School Drill Team, the REDs.  She also plays high school softball.  Her hobbies include dancing, playing softball, working out at the gym, and looking at the stars and moon.  Harley will perform a lyrical dance to the song “Half a Man†by Dean Lewis for her talent.

Contestant number 14 is Lizzy Ricks.  Lizzy was born in Chandler, Arizona, to Greg and Karen Ricks.  Lizzy hopes to attend Aveda Institute in Utah to pursue a career as a cosmetologist or esthetician.  She is a cheerleader at Shelley High School.  Some of her hobbies include singing, dancing, painting, cheering, and hair and makeup.  She has served the community by participating in the Christmas Angel program, Feed My Starving Children activities, and helping the middle school cheer team. Lizzy will be singing a song from the musical Brooklyn called “Once Upon A Time.â€