Miss Monroe County 2019, Madalyn Poupard, has been named the first finalist in the 2021 Miss Michigan Scholarship Competition.
The competition took place on Saturday evening at the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon. Miss Spirit of the State, Vivian Zhong, won the title of Miss Michigan 2021.
Poupard, 19, is the daughter of Scott and Sara Poupard from Monroe. In her second year at the University of Michigan, she studied nursing. Its social impact initiative is “Pause Before you Post: The Permanent Impact of Social Media”.
In the talent segment of the competition, Poupard performed a vocal solo for “Hallelujah” in a white ball gown with pearl and rhinestone accents.
“She performed it with great moving passion,” said Dione Oerther, executive director of the Miss Monroe County Scholarship Program.
Two others from Monroe County also competed for the title of Miss Michigan. Alexis Newcomer, Miss Greater Kalamazoo 2019 and Miss Monroe County 2016, and Brooklynn Lambert, Miss Great Lakes Bay 2019 and Miss Monroe County 2017.
Newcomer, 25, is the daughter of Kevin and Anne Newcomer from Monroe. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2018 and works as a Digital Buyer / CARAT Assistant for GM / Chevrolet. Its social impact initiative is the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Lambert, 24, is the daughter of Bo and Stena Lambert of Monroe. She graduated with a BA in Communication from Oakland University in 2021 and is working as a dance teacher at Viva Dance Co. Her social impact initiative is “Think Pink: Early Detection of Breast Cancer”.
Lambert reached the top 11. Her talent was a jazz dance on “Natural Woman” in a white and light pink costume with crystal stone accents.
“She performed her dance beautifully,” said Oerther.
The Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen Scholarship Contest also took place at the Frauenthal Theater on Friday evening. Outstanding Miss Washtenaw County teenager Rylie Dewley, 17, won the title.
Competing for the crown and the title, 16 young women, including two from County Monroe.
Kristen Kruzel, Miss Monroe County Outstanding Teen 2019 competed for the title with Kendall Comer, Miss Monroe County Outstanding Teen 2018.
17-year-old Kristen is the daughter of Ken and Angie Kruzel of Luna Pier. She is a student at Monroe County Middle College and Monroe County Community College. Its social impact initiative is “Spina Bifida: Look Back! Where the Difference Begins.”
Kendall, 17, is the daughter of Chad and Crystal Comer of Temperance. She will be attending the MCCC in the fall. Its social impact initiative is “SPACE: Sensory Processing Awareness for Children’s Education”.
Kristen performed a tap dance to the song “Born This Way” in a red sequined vest and sequined gloves with rhinestones.
“She performed her dance perfectly even though she injured her hips earlier in the week,” Oerther said. “She danced through the pain.”
Oerther said Kendall performed a vocal solo on “Feelin ‘Good” with great moving emotion wearing a coral beaded floor dress.
“They performed exceptionally well in every phase of the competition,” said Oerther. “I am so proud of these young women and all they have accomplished.
