Then there were two. Hannah Brickson (left) was crowned Miss RiverFest and Katrina Bugge was crowned Miss Thief River Falls at a pageant Tuesday, July 11. The pageant was held at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    Thief River Falls and RiverFest have some new royalty. Katrina Bugge was crowned Miss Thief River Falls and Hannah Brickson was crowned Miss RiverFest at a pageant Tuesday, July 11 at the Lincoln High School auditorium.
    Bugge and Brickson each received a $750 scholarship, a one-semester tuition waiver to Northland Community and Technical College, and a Dale Carnegie “Skills for Success” course, among other prizes.
    Bugge won the evening gown, interview and on-stage question divisions of the pageant. She also received the Platform Award, and the Northfit Lifestyle & Fitness Award. Bugge’s platform was “Inspire a Golden Journey.” For each win, she received a $100 scholarship. Bugge is the daughter of Brian and Julie Bugge of Thief River Falls. She succeeds Ashley Myers as Miss Thief River Falls.
    Brickson won the talent division and the Community Service Award. She received a $100 scholarship for the division award and a $200 scholarship for the other award. Brickson performed “Spring” from “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi for her talent. Brickson is the daughter of Patrick and Laura Brickson of Thief River Falls. She succeeds Morgan Berg as Miss RiverFest.
    Mariah Coan was named first runner-up, receiving a $500 scholarship. Elle Jorgenson was named second runner-up, receiving a $250 scholarship. Jorgenson also won the Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Maker Award, receiving a $100 scholarship.
    Other contestants included Brandi Hannon and Michelle Lorenson. Hannon was named Miss Congeniality, receiving a $100 scholarship. Each contestant also received a $100 scholarship for participating in the pageant.
    A pageant can be dramatic, and this year’s pageant was no exception as a tornado warning was issued toward the end of the program. The tornado warning was issued due to a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado in the area. Attendees moved to the LHS media center for about 10 minutes before they were instructed that the danger had passed the city of Thief River Falls. The pageant then resumed.