MARQUETTE — The new Miss Upper Peninsula Teen USA is Marquette resident Chloe Peterson, while Amanda Nemeth of Sault Ste. Marie is the new Miss Upper Peninsula USA. The two were crowned at a pageant Saturday night in Forest Roberts Theatre at Northern Michigan University.

New Miss Upper Peninsula Teen USA Chloe Peterson currently attends Marquette Senior High School while also attending Northern Michigan University, according to information from pageant organizers.

She has a passion for Olympic-style weightlifting and has been in this lifestyle of fitness for approximately five years. She has been taking various dance classes since the age of 2, is a member of the MSHS Varsity Dance Team, on the MSHS Track and Field Team, and in her free time enjoys going to the beach and spending time with friends and family.

Peterson also is a member of the National Honor Society, received a multitude of academic achievement awards, and received the Citizenship Award. In her experience as a dancer, Peterson attended the 2015 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Junior Summer Intensive in New York City, she has also received the Highest Scoring Youth Female Solo and Youth Outstanding Presentation at DanZa Dance Competition at DanZa Dance Competition, Primary/Junior Best Technical Execution at Dance America for two consecutive years, National Dance Week Most Promising Performer at Dance America, and has received of numerous first place, gold, and high point/score awards for dance.

One of Peterson’s goals throughout her year as Miss Upper Peninsula Teen USA is to use the opportunity to promote physical fitness among teenage girls, inspire other girls to be confident with who they are. Peterson loves that she is an Olympic-style weightlifter, and wants to share with other girls that this is a sport women can participate in. Peterson describes herself as confident, determined, and athletic; she finds inspiration in others who despite enduring obstacles, never give up.

New Miss Upper Peninsula USA Amanda Nemeth graduated from Lake Superior State University 2017 with a bachelor of science in criminal justice law enforcement and corrections, and has a career as a police officer who works closely with victims of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and sexual assault victims, according to information from the pageant.

Nemeth hopes that by combining her role in law enforcement and new role as Miss Upper Peninsula, that she will be able to reach out to more people and be a voice for women and children. Multiple women have shared their experiences with her of why they did not report something happening to them. One of the main reasons is that they have been told in the past that nothing would ever come of their situation. Another reason is that they do not feel they actually have an advocate. Nemeth wants everyone to know that she is willing to go the extra mile to make sure that a woman’s story is told and that they are given the justice they deserve. The same goes for children who may not be able to represent themselves like adults can. Having the community know, through the voice of Miss Upper Peninsula, that there is someone who will actually listen and advocate for them, may give more women and young adults the confidence to stand up. Along with being a voice for those who may not have one yet, she wants to show that a woman can be delicate and graceful, but also bold and courageous.

A unique fact about Nemeth is that as a part of her police training she has been pepper sprayed and tased in order to understand the levels of force she may be using on people while working. This helps to limit the use of excessive force since as she personally knows the pain felt by each tool.

Three words Nemeth uses to describe herself are adventurer, advocate, Aamoo (Ojibwa word for Bee). Nemeth’s biggest goal for her year is to help others and become a role model for young women and children.