ELKHART -- Last year's Miss Elkhart County and Miss Elkhart County Outstanding Teen passed on their respective crowns Saturday evening during the Miss Elkhart County 2010 Scholarship Program.
"It's bittersweet but it's exciting," said 2009 Miss Elkhart County Katie Hrynewycz. "I think about where I was last year and where I am now ... Now somebody else gets to experience that."
Nine contestants competed for the 2010 Miss Elkhart crown, while eight younger contestants competed for this year's Miss Elkhart County Outstanding Teen award at the Elkhart Central auditorium.
In the end, the 2010 Miss Elkhart Crown went to 20-year old Jackie Jerlecki, who was second runner-up during the 2008 competition and runner-up last year to Hrynewycz.
"I went in with nothing to lose and everything to gain," Jerlecki said as she wiped away tears from her face.
Jerlecki, a Bowling Green State University student, promoted a platform of "Support the Arts: A Vital Part of Our Community."
Mekayla Fawn Diehl, 20, of Albion College, was first runner-up and the second runner-up was Lindsey Roscoe, 22, of Indiana University South Bend.
The Miss Outstanding Teen crown went to 13-year old Kiersten Lieurance. Samantha Abbott, 14, was named first runner-up and Laken Thacker, 15, was second runner-up.
The crowns weren't the only awards handed out. The Elkhart competition gives more scholarships than any other local competition in the state. Nearly $55,000 in scholarships was awarded, with almost $11,000 of that in cash scholarships. The rest was awarded as in-kind scholarships to Bethel and Goshen colleges.
Much of that scholarship money was handed out in individual awards by sponsors from around the community.
Both Lieurance and Jerlecki will compete in statewide programs. If they win the Miss Indiana or Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen titles, the next steps are the Miss America and Miss America Outstanding Teen competitions.
Making appearances at Saturday's event were 2009 Miss Indiana Nicole Pollard and Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen, Lydia Daley. Their advice to the local winners were to enjoy the titles.
"Understand that it is just one year." Pollard said. "Having a local title is such an honor."