The number of contestants is down substantially for this year's Winter Carnival Queen of the Snows, and it appears a rule change is the reason.

The carnival's decision to increase the minimum age for candidates from 18 to 21 kept out many interested young women, according to Linda James, chair of Queen Candidate Committee.

Compared with last year's field of 15 candidates, this year's competition drew nine participants. In recent years, the number of candidates has ranged from 12 to 20, James said.

Organizers had expected a drop because several of the neighborhood feeder pageants, such as the Rice Street Festival and the Payne Arcade International Harvest Festival, often attract younger candidates. As a result, James said, four or five younger candidates from area pageants couldn't compete.

Winter Carnival officials, during their deliberations last year, had decided that all members of the royal family should be at least age 21.

The Queen of the Snows and four princesses representing the North, South, East and West Winds make about 300 public appearances as members of the royal family. They serve as goodwill ambassadors during the 10-day carnival and later visit community festivals throughout the country and Canada.

A seven-member selection committee observes the candidates at various charity events and social gatherings over a three-month period from November through January.

The group then follows up with personal interviews before selecting a queen and four princesses, who will be announced at Friday night's Royal Coronation at the St. Paul RiverCentre.

The judges typically evaluate candidates' poise and communication skills, James said. The judges are looking for candidates who are outgoing and able to make the yearlong commitment to carnival duties.

Last year's queen, Jill Andresen, said she has had a great time representing the traditions and heritage of the Winter Carnival across the country.

"My public speaking skills have improved," said Andresen, a senior at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Business. Meeting scores of officials and dignitaries and leading the four princesses during her reign also helped enhance her personal and leadership skills, she said.

Andresen looks at the competition as "a growth opportunity" but says in the end, it's all about the spirit of volunteering.

Bernadette Berg, a contestant last year, is coordinating the royal family this year. She found the competition a great experience, saying, "You get to see the carnival events from a different perspective."

Her word of advice for the contestants: "Enjoy the time you have." Not winning the crown doesn't mean the end of the road, Berg said.

The pool of nine candidates for the 2006 competition come from a variety of backgrounds — from customer service to veterinary sciences — and includes a single mother, Tonya Garcia, and a married woman, Jennifer Olson.

Here's a detailed look at the candidates based on the information provided by carnival officials:

COLLEEN BUGANSKI

Buganski, 22, is pursuing a degree in international business and learning Chinese by taking night classes at Century College. She plans to transfer to Metropolitan State University in spring. Her goal is to graduate without incurring school debt. A customer relations representative for Aveda Corp., Buganski is sponsored by Splat Tag. She volunteers at the Somali Adult Literacy Training Center and hopes to work for the Red Cross or World Relief someday. She likes to read about political figures, such as Abraham Lincoln and Boris Yeltsin.

JESSICA EVENSON

Evenson, 23, has a degree in genetics, cell biology and development from the University of Minnesota. Her goal is to a get a master's degree in genetic counseling. She volunteers at East Bethel Senior Center and helped coordinate the St. Francis, Minn., Ambassador Pageant last year. She works for the John Robert Powers Acting and Modeling Academy. Evenson, an avid Gophers fan, was a member of the university's marching band for four years. She is sponsored by Great Waters Brewing Co.

TONYA GARCIA

A patient care technician, Tonya Garcia, 24, is studying to become a nurse at Inver Hills Community College. Garcia, sponsored by ReMax Realty 100, has done volunteer work for South St. Paul soccer and wrestling associations. She likes to knit, crochet and work with children and the elderly. Garcia says she is proud to be going back to school while juggling work and raising her children as a single mom.

JAMEE GIFFORD

An amateur photographer, potter and painter with interest in music and theater, Gifford wears many hats. She also is an account executive for Clear Channel Radio. The 22-year-old graduate of Hudson High School earned a degree in media communications from Bethel University last year. For the past three years, Gifford has been involved with the St. Paul Winter Carnival Coronation Committee. She also has coached elementary school cheerleaders and worked with preschoolers. Gifford hopes someday to own a photography studio. Her sponsor is the Payne Arcade Business Association.

HOLLY LENZ

A graduate of Ridgewater Community College in Willmar, Minn., Lenz works as a veterinary technician. As a volunteer, she helped expand a vet clinic over the past 10 years. She also helped organize an Inver Grove Heights pet contest and has worked with adapted aquatic programs for adults with disabilities. Lenz, 31, enjoys dog shows, fishing, swimming and traveling. A Rice Street Festival princess, Lenz is sponsored by the festival.

JENNIFER OLSON

Olson is the first in her family to attend college. She earned a bachelor's degree in merchandising and management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1997 and followed up with a master's in organization leadership from Bethel University in 2004. Olson, 31, works as a business analyst for Cadbury Schweppes. She enjoys working, physical fitness and self-improvement efforts. A volunteer for Toastmaster Club 2019, she also helps at Best Prep (formerly known as the Business Economics Education Foundation) to share her knowledge and skills with students. Olson is sponsored by Brown & Bigelow.

JESSICA SPIER

A University of Minnesota graduate, Spier works as a veterinary assistant and plans to get a doctorate in veterinary science. Her sponsor is Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital. She helped raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis 5K walk and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the East Side Lions. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys camping, fishing and horse riding. Spier, 28, received the St. Paul Winter Carnival Ambassador Program Scholarship last year.

SARA STAMSCHROR

A senior at the University of Minnesota, Stamschror is pursuing a degree in family social science. Stamschror, 21, works as a school liaison for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities and as a sales associate for Rhinestones and Ruffles, a bridal, pageant and prom store, which is sponsoring her. The winner of the 2005 Miss Coon Rapids Pageant, Stamschror's dream is to start her own formal wear business. She enjoys modeling, writing, painting and singing. She also has helped in the Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary School music program and walks dogs for St. Paul Humane Society for Companion Animals.

BOBBI YZERMANS

Yzermans, 22, is a customer service manager at Cub Foods. She has an associate's degree in human services from Inver Hills Community College and is attending St. Mary's for a bachelor's degree. She is sponsored by Inver Grove Heights Days. She has volunteered with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and helped with the KS95 Radiothon. She also spends time reading to elementary school children and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Her favorite pastimes include watching movies, dancing and spending time with family and friends.

Pratik Joshi can be reached at pjoshi@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5509.

Copyright 2006 Pioneer Press.