The Miss Hastings Scholarship Program (MHSP) is excited to announce its judge panel for the 2021 Miss Hastings Scholarship Competition. Three candidates will compete for the title of Miss Hastings 2022 on Saturday, October 9th, 3 PM at Crossroads Church. The judges have the challenging job of selecting who will fill the role and receive a $1,000 educational scholarship.

Janelle Behny, Executive Director of MHSP, shed some light on the importance of a good judge panel. “They’re key to choosing which candidate is ready and willing to put her education to work and serve her community as Miss Hastings. Her year of service is a unique lifestyle with many responsibilities. It requires people with various skillsets, world views, experience, and insight to select her, which is why it’s the second task I start when preparing for a competition. The first is recruiting candidates. I believe our panel this year is pretty special and more than qualified for the challenge ahead of them!”

The judge panel is lead this year by head judge Dr. Jennifer Ostergaard, Miss Minnesota 1997. She won a non-finalist talent award and the Quality of Life Award at Miss America for her work with abused children through “Be a Voice for a Child,” the non-profit organization she founded. Ostergaard is a pediatric neuropsychologist with her private practice in the west metro. She is also an accomplished actress and model who has worked internationally.

Peter Thaldorf is a partner with a retirement asset management company in the Twin Cities. He’s known for his excellent communication and life strategy skills, which he uses to advise his clients. Thaldorf shares his talents as a church volunteer and with the Minnesota Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Becky Thoreson’s career includes positions with the Twin Cities United Way, American Heart Association, and Special Olympics MN. After holding the title of Miss Minnesota International in 2006, she served as Executive Director at American Pageants and as vice president and co-founder of PageantLife.

Paul Arneberg is the founder and director of JUGHEADS Youth Juggling Company. His education and experience in theater, radio and vocal performance have lead JUGHEADS to win major talent competitions at the Minnesota State Fair and International Jugglers’ Association festivals.

Shelley Wade, daughter of Miss Hastings 1962, Patricia May, is a fashion and jewelry designer with a background in dance. Wade has worked for A-list celeb- rities and was a professional drummer for five years. She currently creates life-like baby dolls with a shop on Facebook.

The candidates for Miss Hastings 2022 are Jocelyn Giefer, Julia Kurzawski, and Jasmin Kotek. The event will also feature Miss Hastings 2020 Sophie Keeler, Miss Minnesota 2021 Elle Mark, Miss MN’s Outstanding Teen Bella Grill, Mike Bremer of HCTV’s “Take a Hike, Mike!,” and special guests Reese Kuglin and Hailey Sherry from Jan’s School of Dance. A silent auction and raffle are part of the event, as well. Tickets are $10 at the door and are available now online at https://www.misshastings. org/online-store. Seating is limited. For more details, please go to https:// www.misshastings.org/ or contact MHSP at 651-2708984.

Jennifer Ostergaard

Shelley Wade

Paul Arneberg

Peter Thaldorf