Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Miss Sleepy Eye 2017 Courtney Engholm (center) and 2017 Princesses Megan Sellner (left) and Maleah Berry (right) stand together for the first time after receiving their new titles.

SLEEPY EYE — The title of Miss Sleepy Eye was awarded to Courtney Engholm during the 2017 coronation ceremony at the Orchid Inn Sunday.

Engholm is the daughter of Brian and Brenda Engholm. She impressed the judges and audience during the question and answer portion of the evening. Asked which meal or recipe was important to her family, Engholm quickly said her grandmother’s cupcake recipe which is made every year and always brings out the laughter and love.

The Miss Sleepy Eye tiara was given to Engholm by 2016 Miss Sleepy Eye Lauren Laffen. Maleah Berry and Megan Sellner were also crowned as the 2017 Sleepy Eye Princesses. Berry is the daughter of Brad and Julie Hoffmann. Sellner is the daughter of Eugene and Jill Sellner.

Miss Sleepy Eye candidate Zoe Macklanburg was awarded a candidate scholarship based on her short essay. This year’s essay topic was “Words have Power. How do you use yours?”

This was the 70th Coronation in Sleepy Eye history. Each coronation has been held at the Orchid Inn since 1947.