There’s always that moment – just before the crown is lowered and every girl and boy thinks he or she has a chance to spend the summer as an Albertville Ambassador – where people seem to hold their breath. The hush comes over the room, and then cheers, as everyone breathes again and congratulates the winners.
It’s one of the highlights of Albertville Friendly City Days, and Sunday’s coronation at the St. Michael-Albertville High School Performing Arts Center didn’t disappoint, as five new faces joined the ranks of Albertville’s royalty.
Junior royalty this year were crowned first, as Greta Crowell and Mallory Shidla were each crowned Junior Miss Albertville. Commodores for 2015-2016 will be Leyton Intrieri and Keith Robertson.
Abby Peterson was the first to be crowned Albertville Princess, joined soon after by Brianna Gustafson.
And finally, Paige Berning was named Queen/Miss Albertville for the 2015-2016 season.
The afternoon also included two special presentations. The outgoing 2014-2015 court of Bree Johnson and Atalie Duncan (princesses) as well as Miss Albertville Christine Lenneman presented Mayor Jillian Hendrickson with an appreciation award for the City of Albertville’s support of the royalty program, including the Albertville float. Junior ambassadors Leighton Bauer, Brendan Green, Anna Derbis and Regan Anderson also joined in the presentation.
Later, the Minneapolis Aquatennial Program presented Tracy Kneefe with an award of “Honorary Junior Commodore” for her hard work with both the Albertville Royalty and the Aquatennial ambassadors. Kneefe has worked over the last few years at the schedule coordinator for the Albertville Royalty Program.
Brianna Gustafason – sponsored by Ashworth Real Estate – earns her crown as Albertville Princess.
Paige Berning, sponsored by Millside Tavern, will reign as 2015-2016 Miss Albertville.
Abby Peterson, sponsored by Financial Security Bank of Albertville, earned her crown as Miss Albertville Princess 2015-2016.
Greta Crowell smiles as she’s crowned a junior miss.
Albertville Mayor Jillian Hendrickson is presented a special photo of the 2014-2015 Royal Court by its members at Sunday’s coronation ceremonies.
Royalty scheduling coordinator Tracy Kneefe is awarded a “Junior Commodore” honorary pin.
The 2015-2016 Royalty.