Seven of the most well-mannered young ladies of Jackson County are vying for the title of Miss Jackson County 2008.

When the seven contestants go in front of the judges on July 27, Jill Borreson, coordinator of the Miss Jackson County Program, said the judges will be looking for someone who is pleasant and social with an outgoing personality.

"She will be going to a lot of area functions to represent the county," Borreson said. "She has to be a courteous, friendly young lady."

Miss Jackson County has several responsibilities once she is named. Right away, she will work at the fair, where she will hand out ribbons, trophies and other awards. She and her court go to several parades throughout the county during the warmer months and do elder visits within the community. They also attend various fundraisers and other community events.

Borreson said it is very much a team effort after Miss Jackson County and her court are named. "It is rare that just Miss Jackson County is invited," she said. "We want the girls to feel like they're part of a team."

The coronation of this year's Miss Jackson County and her court will be held on Tuesday, July 29 at Lunda Theater.

Contestants this year are:

Jenna Anderson, 17, of Melrose. Jenna is the daughter of Brian & Laura Anderson. Anderson will be a senior this fall at Melrose-Mindoro High School. She is sponsored by the Melrose Place Salon of Melrose.

Cera Boe, 17, of Taylor. Cera is the daughter of Daryl & Kathy Boe. Boe will be a senior this fall at Blair-Taylor High School. She is sponsored by Kniseley Insurance, Barb Kniseley of Taylor.

Hannah Dvorak, 16, of Black River Falls. Hannah is the daughter of Tim Dvorak and Robyn Matousek. Dvorak will be a junior this fall at Black River Falls High School. She is sponsored by Remax Homes & Hills Realty of Black River Falls.

Emily Jordan, 17, of Black River Falls. Emily is the daughter of John & Marie Jordan. Jordan will be a senior this fall at Black River Falls High School. She is sponsored by Jordan Chiropractic Clinic of Black River Falls.

Hannah Ripp, 17, of Merrillan. Hannah is the daughter of Paul & Theresa Ripp. Ripp will be a senior this fall at Black River Falls High School. She is sponsored by Esser Insurance Agency of Alma Center.

Allyson Rush. 17, of Black River Falls. Allyson is the daughter of Jon & Tammy Rush. Rush will be a senior this fall at Black River Falls High School. She is sponsored by the Co-op Credit Union of Black River Falls.

Morgan Stittleburg, 17, of Black River Falls. Morgan is the daughter of Todd & Kathy Stittleburg. She will be a junior this fall at Black River Falls High School. She is sponsored by Antler King Trophy Products, Inc. of Black River Falls.

Kelsey Olson, of Black River Falls, is Miss Jackson County 2007. She said the experience of serving her community was "eye-opening."

"We have gotten to do so many things," Olson, 17, said of the community activities she participated in over the last year, including parades, charity events and dairy breakfasts. She said she never realized the amount of events taking place in the community before her time as Miss Jackson County.

"This has taught me how important it is to become involved in your community because it's what makes a community strong," Olson said.

The best part of the last year, she said, was having area children look up to her as a positive role model and spending time with the other girls on the court.

Olson, who will be a senior this fall at Black River Falls High School, said she would offer some advice to the future Miss Jackson County. "Try to be on time because the other girls are counting on you," she said. "Always have an open mind and be willing to be flexible and try new things."