Dual pageant crowns two winners
By STACIE MORGAN
Sentinel reporter
2/25/02
LEWISTOWN - A backdrop of Old Glory undulating amid fireworks of
yellow and orange, cast upon a powder-blue sky, set the theme and spirit
of the Miss Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant on Saturday.
Twenty-four contestants from all over Central Pennsylvania graced the
stage in outfits of navy, white or red as the opening number presented
them waving miniature American flags and confident smiles. Overhead,
stars with patriotic colors danced and twirled in accent to the young
ladies who came forward to introduce themselves.
Host and hostess for the evening were Rocco Pallotto of MERF radio
and Kirstin Border, Miss Pennsylvania 1994. Throughout the evening the
pair offered thanks to sponsors, explained judging rules, encouraged
contestants with words of praise, introduced contestants and events and
told humorous stories in moments of transition enabling the pageant to
glide smoothly along.
Also in attendance and helping to host the evening, were Miss Central
Pennsylvania 2001, Jessica Watson and Miss Greater Juniata Valley 2001,
Erika Shay. However, Watson, Shay and Border were not the only past
title holders present at the pageant. Two former title holders of Miss
Tri-County were available as well as two former holders of the Miss
Greater Juniata Valley title and two past Miss Central Pennsylvania
title holders. Several former title holders performed for the audience,
reminding those listening of moments gone by when strong, sweet voices
contributed to overall scores to win titles of beauty.
Before the evening's events played out, Border stood at the podium
entreating the audience to look at contestants in light of their
platforms and the roles each girl played in bettering their communities
through volunteer participation as well as their "dynamic"
personalities, their belief in being physically fit and their devotion
to their talents.
The contestants were judged in four categories: community
achievements, which included their ability to express their opinions and
their knowledge of their platform and was rated according the
participant's performance in an interview with judges before the
pageant; physical appearance, judged through the swimsuit competition;
artistic expression or talent; and presence and poise, expressed through
the evening gown competition and question asked of them at the end of
the evening by host Pallotto.
The judges came from a multitude of backgrounds and included a music
teacher, guidance counselor, county commissioner, a business manager,
judges involved in the Junior Miss and Miss America pageant systems, and
a college professor.
The contestants were divided into two groups for presenting their
talents. The first 14 contestants exhibited skills ranging from
difficult finger-dancing piano pieces with names such as "The Storm" and
"Winter Wind," to tap dances, baton twirling, Italian pieces made
popular by Andrea Bocceli, country singing and even a parody, entitled
"Sex Goddess," termed by John Metzger, pageant coordinator, as
"controversial" and evoking silence from the audience as well as
tentative laughter.
After the first 14 women performed, the area of entertaining
accomplishments was temporarily suspended when Pallotto introduced the
swimsuit competition explaining his willingness to put the girl's
nervousness at ease by introducing them while dressed in a Speedo. The
audience obliged his joke with laughter as he said, "They all screamed,
'no, no don't do that!' So I figured out they didn't think that was a
good idea. Although I can't understand why."
As the curtain opened for the swimsuit competition, the audience sat
in momentary silence when the stage revealed not girls in swimsuits but
about eight young men sporting dress naval blues, complete with gold
swords, sombre respectful faces and impressive military bearing. The
Penn State NROTC remained onstage during the swimsuit portion, forming a
backdrop of contrast and serving as a reminder of the evening's theme of
"Proud to Be An American."
The swimsuits not only showcased the physical attributes of each
contestant but also served to disclose a portion of the wearer's
personality. Suits were varied and ran from playful, bright and
revealing to conservative, sparkly and complimentary. Every girl wore a
smile and walked the expanse of the stage with confidence, perhaps, in
an effort to quell their nervousness, trying to summon the image of
Pallotto wearing that speedo.
With the swimsuit portion behind them, the second batch of
contestants entertained pageant-goers. The skills included more piano
pieces that challenged finger dexterity, dances that were graceful as
well as awe-inspiring, a rendition of "Over the Rainbow," a monologue
that served to remind listeners of the Sept. 11 tragedies, and an
additional dramatic piece entitled "My Short Skirt" which again caused
Metzger a measure of concern in terms of appropriateness.
The last competition of the evening, presence and poise, was
presented with the girls in evening wear being escorted by an ROTC
member through an archway of upraised swords, a solo walk around the
stage and a response to a question. The outfits worn were a menagerie of
eye-catching, slinky, wispy, flowing, elegant and shimmery, each
eliciting a whispered remark of admiration or a cat-call of support from
audience members. The responses given to the question asked by Pallotto
were thoughtful and at times uncertain as each girl strove to represent
her platform in a positive and inspiring light.
Before the words "The envelope please" could be uttered by Border,
Shay and Watson gave their farewell speeches summarizing their year as
title holders, thanking friends and loved ones and offering final words
to the winners yet unannounced, as well as all the contestants.
Watson, Miss Central Pennsylvania 2001, directed her comments to all
the pageant participants, "There's always going to be that one special
someone who believed in you." Shay, Miss Greater Juniata Valley 2001,
also spoke of believing in someone, someone who made her strive for her
dreams and showed her that "dreams really do come true."
The closing number, which featured the contestants, the ROTC members,
Shay and Watson, also starred Kyle Metzger singing "Proud to Be An
American," a song made popular by country artist Lee Greenwood.
Regardless of who would win and who would not, every person up on the
stage seemed to exude the pride Metzger sang of.
The competitions behind them, the girls retreated to the back of the
stage to grasp hands and anxiously await the announcement that would
declare winners and runners-up. The auditorium was silent as one of the
judges brought forth the envelope.
"The second runner up" announced Border, and winner of a $150
scholarship, "Melanie Jo Smartnick." The applause died down before
Border continued, "First runner up" and winner of a $250 scholarship,
"Makini Young." It is likely hearts would seem to cease beating or pound
in expectation as Border said, "The new Miss Greater Juniata Valley -
Tiffany Hawbaker!" The second title for 2002 was announced "Miss Central
Pennsylvania - Libby Montiel!"
After being crowned by last year's winners, the two girls were
immersed in hugs and tears from fellow contestants as family members and
friends hurried up to the stage to add their congratulations.
Hawbaker, a senior at Messiah College and originally from Greencastle
said she was "overwhelmed and excited," but caught her breath to
remember her competition, "The girls were just so nice, everyone
involved in the pageant has been wonderful. I'm just so happy." She
didn't hesitate to also praise her parents whom she said supported and
upheld her "every step of the way."
Montiel, a senior at the Pennsylvania State University and originally
from Sewaren, NJ said of her win, "I feel great, exhilarated, but I have
to really dedicate my win to my dad. He has been my 100 percent
encourager, my strength. He's been behind me the whole way."
While Hawbaker and Montiel came out the top winners, other awards
were presented at the reception which took place after the pageant. One
such award was a scholarship initiated this year in honor of Shannon
Lloyd a 7 year-old dancer who was killed in a car accident just last
year. The Shannon Lloyd Memorial Scholarship of $125 will be presented
every year to the contestant whose talent of dancing earned the highest
score. The award, for this first year, went to second runner up, Melanie
Smartnick, who also won the swimsuit award. Other award winners were:
Best Interview-Makini Young; Best Non-finalist in Talent-Kristen Buben;
Best Non-finalist in Interview-Stephanie Falcone; Best Evening
Wear-Libby Montiel; and the Encouragement Award went to Andrea
Dempsey.
The evening ended with both winners giving their first public speech.
The two 2002 title holders expressed their desire to represent
Pennsylvania to the best of their ability. Additionally, they mentioned
their thankfulness for family members and their eagerness to make 2002 a
great year.