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By Holli Sunderland, Sentinel reporter, hsunderland@lewistownsentinel.com
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Sentinel photos by BRADLEY
KREITZER
Contestants, from left; Madeline Leeper,
16, Jade Gross, 18, and Shannah Boring, 21, sit and
listen to the plans for today’s activities in
preparation for the Miss Central Pennsylvania Pageant,
to be held in the Lewistown Area High School today at 7
p.m. |
LEWISTOWN — The world of pageants
is often connected to the realm of education, a bridge that is
built by one area pageant.
The 2008 Miss Central
Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant, set for 7 p.m. today at
Lewistown Area High School, places a critical focus on the
area of scholarship for its 24 contestants, three of whom are
local: Madeline Leeper, a junior at Lewistown Area High
School; Jade Marie Gross, a Lewistown graduate; and Shannah
Boring, of Reedsville, a Juniata College student.
“If
you don’t win, take something away. Learn something,” Rachel
Henry, Miss Greater Juniata Valley 2007, advised the
contestants during a dress rehearsal Friday
night.
Lauren Zaumpino, Miss Central Pennsylvania 2007,
told contestants of the commitment the winner will make when
she said, “If you are crowned, you do a lot of community
service ... Always present yourself in a professional manner.”
John Metzger, a teacher at Lewistown Area High School
and organizer of the pageant, emphasized the interview portion
of the pageant to the contestants.
“The interview isn’t
a test; it’s a chance for the judges to get to know you ... By
the time you go to be something you’re not, the judges will
never know who you really are ... Don’t try to fake it. Be
yourself,” Metzger said.
All three of the Mifflin
County women taking part expressed an interest in the pursuit
of education.
Leeper, 16, is participating in the
pageant in the Miss Teen division. She explained why she chose
to take part in today’s competition.
“For the
experience ... It looks good on college application and gives
(me) interview experience,” she said.
Gross, 18, is a
contestant in the Miss Central Pennsylvania division. Gross is
a freshman at the main campus of the Pennsylvania State
University, majoring in secondary education math.
“This
is my third year,” she said of her experience in the
scholarship pageant.
While she also enjoys the
atmosphere of the pageant experience, she looks forward to
announcing her platform, she said.
“I really want to
spread my platform about depression. I was good friends with
Kayla Simonetti,” she said, speaking of a young woman who
suffered from depression and took her life.
“I want to
spread awareness about depression,” Gross
said.
21-year-old Boring also has educational reasons
for participating in the pageant.
“I’ve been in a few
pageants over the last seven years. Obviously, the opportunity
to get scholarships” offered an appeal, she said.
“I
enjoy taking leadership positions,” said Boring, who said
she’d like to pursue a master’s degree.
The pageant
offers women an arena to display leadership, she
said.
While the pageant will showcase old traditions
including talent and swimsuit competitions, the interview
portion was stressed during the dress rehearsal.
“This
is a job. You’re interviewing for a job,” Henry said,
describing the commitment required by the winner.
Two
awards from the Jacqui Yanoshik Memorial Scholarship Fund will
be given to contestants based on the interview, according to
the pageant program.
In the end, final judging will be
determined by the various components that make up the pageant.
“It’s a composite of all those things,” said Metzger,
emphasizing the totality of elements used for final
scoring.
According to the program, other contestants
for Miss Central Pennsylvania include Ekanem O. Akpakip, 21,
of Hughesville; Samantha M. Clawges, 20, of Hadley; Brittani
DeVore, 18, of Saegertown; Courtney E. Thomas, 19, of Sigel;
Susan R. Buckley, 20, of Clarks Summit; Ashley R. Duespohl,
19, of Butler; Kristy D. Weber, 18, of Butler; Natasha M.
Kline, 20, of Winfield; Meredith Semon, 19, of West Newton;
and Anna M. Welsh, 20, of Brookville.
Teen division
contestants include Emily Dowling, 16, of Bensalem; Diane
Huber, 16, of Lancaster; Mary E. Rosman, 13, of St. Marys;
Courtni B. Rudy, 16, of East Petersburg; Amy L. Hvizdos, 16,
of Venetia; Hannah Timm, 16, of St. Marys; Brandi Lawrence,
16, of York; Erica Bristor, 16, of Waynesburg; Crystal
Chilcott, 14, of Butler; Carly J. Rice, 16, of Meadville; and
Elissa McCracken, 16, of
Waynesburg. |
