Maple Grove teen is Queen of the Lakes 2009

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: July 26, 2008 - 12:52 AM

A Maple Grove teenager was crowned the 2009 Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes on Friday night.

Tara Litwinchuk, a former Miss Maple Grove, was chosen in ceremonies at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall.

A graduate of Maple Grove High School, Litwinchuk will soon begin her second year at the University of Minnesota, where she is majoring in microbiology.

Aquatennial princesses for 2009 are Jaclyn Auger, 20, the former Miss Hutchinson, and Emily McConkey, 19, the former Miss Cokato.

Women from 50 Minnesota communities competed for the title of Queen of the Lakes. The candidates were judged on such attributes as speaking ability, poise, community spirit and volunteerism.

The Queen of the Lakes travels around the state, nation and world making hundreds of appearances as a primary goodwill ambassador representing the Minneapolis Aquatennial.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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