It was only two years ago that Calli Long, Lake Orion High School’s 2005 Homecoming Queen, became America’s Homecoming Queen at the national competition.
This year, her friend and former schoolmate, Stephanie Miszewski, has been invited to compete in the Michigan Homecoming Queen competition. The event takes place April 21-22 in Grand Rapids, with Stephanie having a chance to move on to the national pageant in California in July.
Stephanie, 17, is this year’s Lake Orion Homecoming Queen, an honor that was nearly as unexpected as the one she received a little more than a week ago.
‘I got a letter from America’s Homecoming Queen and was very surprised,? said Stephanie.
‘It’s very exciting,? she said. ‘The most I had ever done before were cheerleading competitions. It’s all new for me, and I’m really looking forward to this.?
Stephanie said she has already sought advice from Callie Long, to help her prepare for the event.
‘We were cheerleaders together when she was a senior and I was a sophomore,? said Stephanie. ‘She was very helpful. Cally told me it’s a great experience and to just be myself.?
Besides being one of the captains on the cheerleading team, Stephanie is a member of the high school’s Leadership Class and performs community service. She also works at Coldstone Creamery on Baldwin Road.
After high school graduation, she aspires to attend Oakland University and take classes in either Nursing or Special Education.
She’s already tested the waters in both fields, having participated in a Face-to-Face program at Pine Tree Elementary, and a job shadowing opportunity at Henry Ford Hospital.
‘Both would be such great careers,? said Stephanie. ‘It will be quite a decision for me.
‘I really liked working with the kids,? she said. ‘And the job shadowing gave me a good idea of what is involved in the field of Nursing.?
For now, she’s focusing on preparing for her life after high school and for the opportunity to participate in the Michigan Homecoming Queen Pageant.
‘I’ll be happy to make some new friends and have a good time,? Stephanie said. ‘I want to make the most of the experience.?
Stephanie is the daughter of Tom and Diane Miszewski of Lake Orion. She has a 20-year-old brother, Tommy.