By Angel Perkins Editor
For weeks, female contestants practice group routines and hone their individual talents to prepare for the competition that brings in thousands of dollars of scholarship winnings to the college-bound Triton students.
It is a lot of work to pull off the entertaining pageantry that is considered well worth the trouble, but there is just as much work  if not more, going on behind the scenes.

And that is done by the unsung heroes, generous volunteers of the local Junior Miss program. Tammy Sauer (president) and Kristen Hoffer (vice president), co-chairs of the Triton Junior Miss Board of Directors, put in more than their fair share of duties to assist the girls to perform to their maximum potential and give them the best opportunities they can for their futures—even accompanying the winner to Frankfort, Ind. each year for the state competition.
When asked, Sauer said she has given the past 15 years (of the 45 it’s been held) toward the program because of the happiness it brings her. “When I was in Triton Junior Miss (1975) I wasn’t the one that was ‘supposed’ to win,” she explained. “And when I did, it felt wonderful! I wanted to be involved in giving that to other girls.”
Hoffer didn’t win the title, but felt just as privileged to be involved in the program as a contestant in 1988. “I wanted to continue the tradition of what I had when I was in it,” she said.
Kevin Boyer (co-emcee with his son Steve), production team member and father of two former Triton Junior Miss winners (Sara and Lindsey), got to pick the theme for this years event. “It was one of my favorite movies,” he explained simply as to why he chose the “Back to the Future” theme.
His daughter Lindsey McIntyre continued to support the program after winning the local Junior Miss title in 1999. Among other things, she has been choreographing the routines and helping the girls with their individual talents.
“I love the program,” she explained. “It’s been a part of my life for 10 years and it’s one of those things that you never forget so I want to give back.”
McIntyre uses her gymnastics and dance skills as a former cheerleader and aerobics enthusiast to create routines that are energetic and impressive without being too physically demanding of the young ladies. Looking like a contestant herself, the young woman explained that the larger groups are harder to instruct, and at one time she had 17 girls in the competition.
“That was the first year for me and it was rough,” she said. “I can’t cater to or catch the ones that the routines don’t come as naturally to, and I had just had a baby. It was all a little overwhelming for me but when it was over, they gave me a framed picture of the group and I knew it was worth it.”
“I had gotten so attached to them,” she added. “I do every year. I’m working with them almost every day for six weeks.”
This year she is working with 11 entrants and McIntyre said she thought the reason there weren’t more (who were interested in being in the competition) wasn’t because there weren’t more qualified to compete or less talented than the other girls. “I think it’s because the program itself is a little intimidating,” she said. “There are some standards expected and a lot of the time I think it has to do with them choosing a talent. I try to help them find something they can do.”
She said also that often the students that are the most successful or that are interested in continuing their educations already have their schedules full with jobs, sports or other extra-curricular activities that don’t allow them time to be involved.
Crystal Hill, a former Triton Junior Miss contestant was in the largest of the groups after she and her friends decided to join together. “I didn’t win the (Junior Miss) title but I won the Spirit of Junior Miss (a privilege awarded to the recipient for her attitude and helpfulness by her fellow contestants),” she said. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way. I was glad. I would rather have my friends, the people that have known me judge me than a group of strangers. Grades are a big deal and mine weren’t the best so I focused on (being the seller of) the most ticket sales and missed it by one ticket!”
Hill said she volunteers because she wanted to be involved in what is “such a big opportunity and privilege” to the girls and because she wanted to give back to the community.
After picking out their gowns, plastering on their smiles and memorizing their performances, this year’s contestants in the Triton Junior Miss Program will vie Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. for $4,500 in scholarships in six preliminary and two finalist awards categories—one walking away with the title and the opportunity to go on to compete at the state level the weekend of February 18, 20 and 21 in Frankfort, Ind.
Seven additional board of directors members, nine members of the production team, eight volunteers that raise money for the scholarships, three members of the judging committee (that choose the judges from out of town), auditors, ticket salespersons, those involved in a luncheon/tea for the young ladies, photographers and videographers, a publicist, backstage mothers, chauffeurs and another large group of volunteers, as well as the generous individuals, businesses and organizations that contribute toward the scholarships monies collectively make the opportunity available to the Triton seniors that try out each year and work together to make the program entertaining to the audiences.