Two Havreites vie for Miss Montana

Two Havre graduates are competing to be the next Miss Montana this

weekend at the Dawson County High School auditorium in Glendive.

Lauren Scofield, 22, who is majoring in biochemistry-molecular biology at Carroll College in Helena, and Alara Vogel, 17, who just graduated from Havre High School, already qualify for $850 in scholarships but are hoping for the $5,000 scholarship and the chance to represent Montana at the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City.

Mary Kaercher of Havre was third runner-up last year and won a $2,000 scholarship. She was Miss Congeniality and received the Spirit and Leader Award chosen by the production staff.

Scofield is working to become a doctor specializing in OB/GYN. She said she loves going to her family's lake cabin. She might be remembered in Havre for owning an ice cream truck when she was 15. She is playing the piano for her talent. Her platform is Planting the Seeds of STEM.

Alara Vogel is the youngest of the Miss Montana Contestants.

If she is chosen Miss Montana, she said she would stress to students that you don't have to look a certain way to be confident. She will be singing for her talent.

The two encourage Havre residents to cheer them on at the pageant.

People can vote online at http://www.missmontana.com for them to become a finalist Saturday night and earn scholarship money.

Tickets for the Miss Montana and Teen program are $15 Thursday, $20 Friday and $25 Saturday, or $50 for the package. Reserved patron tickets are $60 for all three nights, available at http://www.missmontana.com, the Glendive Chamber or the Farm-to-Table Store. Tickets are also on sale at the door.