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22/09/2018
Bob Gross, Port Huron Times Herald Published 7:40 p.m. ET Sept. 22, 2018 | Updated 9:12 p.m. ET Sept. 22, 2018
Photos: Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA final competition
Miss Ann Arbor Laura Mejeur introduces herself Friday, Sept. 22, 2018 at the start of the Miss Michigan USA competition at McMorran Theater. Brian M. Wells/Times Herald,
20180922 Miss Michigan 0428 (Photo: Brian M. Wells/Times Herald, )
Alyse Madej, Miss Garden City, was crowned Miss Michigan USA on Saturday at McMorran Place in Port Huron.
Alexis Lubecki, Miss Canton Teen USA, won the Miss Michigan Teen USA title.
Madej had told the panel of judges in a question before she received the crown that while she supported and respected First Lady Melania Trump, she also respected the right of fashion designers who opted not to have her wear their designs.
Lubecki said she accepted and welcome challenges in her life.
"I have been through a lot of things I would call my honors," she said.
She erupted in a large smile when Rebecca Larson, Miss Great Lakes Teen, was announced as first runner-up. The smile didn't leave her face when it was Madej's turn to be crowned.
First runner-up in the Miss Michigan USA competition was Alexis Weston, Miss Great Lakes.
Melissa Pitchford of Proctor Productions, which produces the pageant, said Port Huron is like a second home.
Miss Canton Teen Alexis Lubecki, right, is crowned by 2018 Miss Michigan Teen USA Anane Loveday Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 during the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant at McMorran Theater. (Photo: Brian M. Wells/Times Herald, )
"First of all, we have been here for 18 years," she said. "What you look for is a great tourist destination for people in the state.
"...It's really the venue and the attractions of the community and the Blue Water Convention and VIsitors Bureau," she said.
Pitchford complimented the professionalism of Marci Fogal, president of the Blue water Area CVB and said she had "worked with us since Day One."
Pageant week, Pitchford said, was "fantastic. After 18 years, it's a fine tuned machine."
Fogal said it's hard to get an exact handle on how much money the event brings to Port Huron, but she estimated the total is close to $300,000.
"It might be a little bigger than that," she said."It's difficult to put a price tag on it.
"They are staying here, they are eating here, they are shopping here."
She said she has made many friendships with pageant contestants and their families over the years and, as if to prove that point, she was interrupted by Alicia (Jaros) Curtis, who was Miss Michigan Teen USA in 2003 and was second runner-up at Miss Teen USA.
"I come every year to support and show my love for the new queens," Curtis said.
"When I won, (Port Huron) was very hopping back then, and now there's even more stuff going on," she said. "We just went to dinner at The Vintage."
She said her advice to this year's contestants would be "to just enjoy it, enjoy your time here.,
"You're only young once, and enjoy these best of times."
Miss Garden City Alyse Madej, right, is hugged by Miss Delhi Victoria Davis after being named Miss Michigan USA Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 at the Miss Michigan USA pageant at McMorran Theater. (Photo: Brian M. Wells/Times Herald, )
Fogal said she enjoys catching up with contestants from years past.
"Yes, it's lots of hugs and lots of stories of what they have done for the last year or last five years," she said.
"It's like an extended family."
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