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This year�s 4x4 Mudfling will again get some build-up publicity thanks to the return of the Miss Mudfling pageant.

It�s a fun, participation-oriented, pageant, and has attracted five young women - including a couple returnees. They will take part in the Mudfling Fundraising Dance (June 4th at the Legion Hall 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.), host a family day (downtown next to CIBC bank on July 9th 12 p.m - 4 p.m), each girl will spend a specific amount of hours volunteering their time with seniors, and of course, will be out at the Mudfling to help out at the big event. In addition, each girl had to think of a slogan for the Mudslingers event. The winning slogan is �No mud too deep, no hill too steep!� It was submitted by Kristi Caouette. These five young ladies will be showing up at the Fundraising Dance, creatively dressed, to represent the Mudfling. We hope to see everyone there!

We are very pleased to introduce you to our:

MISS MUDFLING 2011 CONTESTANTS

Alyson Durand

2nd Princess

Slogan: �Got Mud?�

Sponsor: the �new look� Atikokan Home Hardware

Alyson, 19, just finished her first year of culinary management at Confederation College, a year she very much enjoyed. Becoming a chef is her career goal, and year one made her particularly keen on baking.

A summer job with the dietary department at AGH is what first attracted her to the field, and also got her involved as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Alyson is active in sports (volleyball, ringette, basketball), and enjoys the outdoors, especially at the family camp.

She is headed to Spain this August, leaving right after the MudFling for 17 days as part of the Catholic Church�s World Youth Day program. A group of about two dozen young people from the Thunder Bay diocese will spend time in Madrid and touring the country, as part of a huge group of young people from around the world. Atikokan�s Melanie Luptak participated in the 2005 World Youth day in Cologne, Germany, which attracted 1.2 million youth - and led to Alyson�s interest in the program.

Ruby Hall

Slogan: �2011 in a mudflinger�s heaven!�

Sponsor: White Otter Inn

Ruby, 17, is in grade 12 this year, and hopes to go to the NuWave Hair School in September to complete its full-year program. She worked part-time at Renee�s Cuts �n Curls, and that convinced her this work suited.

Ruby is a �people person�, with a long list of activities and involvements. She participated in the Sno-Ho Snow Queen pageant in 2009 (she was chosen first princess), and loved all the activities associated with that. She has been a regular helper at Faith Lutheran�s Vacationn Bible Camp, pitched in with the Mother Goose program, and helped lead �Tiny Dancers�, a special dance instruction program for kids four and under.

She enjoys the outdoors (loves her family camp at Bad Vermillion), sports (volleyball, especially), and music (singing, guitar, piano).

Madison Galbraith

Slogan: �If you ain�t diggin�, you ain�t livin�!�

Sponsor: My Three Sons Trucking

Madi, 16, is a grade ten student at AHS, and hopes to go on to a career in nursing.

She�s very active, especially at the Legion, where she can often be found helping out with Legion and Ladies Auxiliary events (the children�s Christmas party, bingos, Friday night suppers). She�s also a regular volunteer at hockey tournaments, the Bass Classic, and other community celebrations, and enjoys sports (hockey, volleyball, badminton, in-line skating) and photography.

Madi is looking forward to Outers next year, and just landed a part-time job at The Bargain Shop! She has completed training in baby-sitting, WHMIS and First Aid, and earlier this month won a special award at AHS for coming to the aid of a classmate.

Dakota Jordan

1st Princess

Slogan: �Go ahead, get dirty!�

Sponsor: Northern Variety

This will be the third pageant in a year for Dakota, 17, who participated in Miss Mudfling 2010 and Sno-Ho�s 2011 Snow Queen pageant. �I just had so much fun in last year�s, and I go to the Mudfling every year anyway��

Dakota is a grade 11 student at AHS, and the leader of her Outers brigade. She�s looking forward to the 12-day� �It can�t come fast enough,� she says.

An accomplished volleyball player (she hopes to play at the university level), and a required member of every basketball team (�I have to, because of my height.�), she also enjoys just about any outdoor activity. She�s hoping to work in Quetico this summer (she�s applied for the biologist assistant position). Longer-term, she has started investigating the University of Ottawa and is aiming for a career in medical imaging.

Kristy Caouette

Miss Mudfling 2011

Slogan: �No mud too deep, no hill too steep�

Sponsor: Robin�s Donuts

Kristy, 19, survived her first year at Lakehead University (kinesiology), and has been accepted in the registered nursing program for the coming year.

Life in the city was a big change for Kristy, who was deeply involved in community life here during her high school years. She did get a chance to volunteer at Thunder Bay�s homeless shelter, participate in university life, and get in some sports breaks (she is keen on volleyball, basketball and ringette).

Kristy was back in Atikokan in February to pass on her Snow Queen title at the Sno-Ho Rally. In high school, she was a regular volunteer at community events, and worked with the Northwestern Health Unit promoting healthy lifestyle choices for teens.

Kristi enjoys the outdoors (camping, fishing, hunting and swimming), and spending time with family, especially her nieces. For the summer, she is returning for a second year of work at the MNR as an assistant clerk.