HAYFIELD -- Amanda Ehmke is the new Miss Hey Days Pageant queen.

The daughter of Brad and Carol Ehmke, of Waltham,

was crowned Hey Days queen Thursday night.

The 2002 pageant princesses are Jenny Stanton, daughter of Paul and Diane Stanton, and Tara Mittelstadt, daughter of Jeff and Diane Mittelstadt.

Laura Nelson, daughter of Richard Nelson and Penny Stender-Perau, earned Miss Congeniality honors.

The new Hey Days royalty will rule over this weekend's 2002 Hey Days pageant in Hayfield.

The 15th annual pageant was held in the Hayfield High School gymnasium Thursday night.

Eleven candidates competed: Jamie Bennett, Amanda Ehmke, Aimee Grosman, Kristen Kazmarek, Tara Mittelstadt, Laura Nelson, Brianna Rouhoff, Heather Schmeling, Jenny Stanton, Stephanie Thoen and Rachel Williams.

A special guest was Miss Minnesota, Allyson Kearns, who will be competing in the 2002 Miss America pageant at Atlantic City, N.J.

The 15th annual Miss Hey Days pageant was the work of a committee headed by Jane Schultz and included the valuable assistance of Hayfield Area Chamber of Commerce volunteer, Nancy Leckner.

Amy Eggert, the 2001 Miss Hey Days, and princesses Laura Blanchard and Amanda Lee, plus last year's Miss Congeniality award-winner, Cassandra Colucy were also special guests.

They will join the new royalty and queen candidates in the grand parade beginning 2 p.m. Sunday at Hayfield.

Ehmke's coronation marks the second consecutive year in which the community of Waltham has claimed a Miss Hey Days title.

The royalty will help the Hayfield Area Chamber of Commerce promote the community in their one-year reign.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com