Royalty of all ages crowned during First Town Days Queens Scholarship Pageant
by Jennifer Kneuss
June 30, 2012
390
Summary:
The time honored tradition of crowing a First Town Days Queen and Court was carried on in spite of tornado warnings and tumultuous weather in New Philadelphia June 30.
Tornado sirens were sounding and high winds were whipping through the city on June 30, but still the First Towne Days Festival Annual Queens Scholarship Pageant went on, as it has for over 30 years.
We heard the sirens and it was a little scary, but we were glad we were still able to go on with the pageant, explained pageant coordinator Debbie Henry at the Welty Middle School pageant location.
Five young ladies competed as WJER Radios Bill Morgan emceed the pageant. Contestants Richelle Aksterowicz (New Philadelphia HS), Brianna Marie Briggs (Strasburg HS), Kamiyah Morris (Dover HS), Emma Mulvaney (New Philadelphia HS) and Bianca Weston (Dover HS) wowed the guest judges with their interviewing abilities, talent, poise, personality, and impressive lists of community involvement and achievement. The girls all answered the question: If I could be remembered in the future, I would like to be remembered for Answers included being an explorer of the undiscovered, making others smile, sharing the love of music, giving back to the community, and doing their part in recycling and saving the environment.
After scores were tallied, 17 year old Briggs, daughter of Eric and Michele Briggs of Strasburg was crowned as the new First Towne Days Queen for 2012. Briggs will be a senior at Strasburg High School, and she shared her musical talent by singing American Honey by Lady Antebellem. She received a variety of gifts as well as the $1,000 scholarship.
I entered the contest because growing up, I always looked up to the queen and her court, stated a very excited Briggs following the pageant. Our family was always at the Festival for Family Day, with the frog races and the fishing derby. I was never afraid to kiss that frog, so Im looking forward to doing that this year! The new queen noted that she is particularly happy to be part of one particular group. I am the administrator for a non-profit organization called Gods Little Hands and Feet, and weve reached out to the needy. Its a huge blessing to have in my life, because I love making other people feeling good about themselves.
First runner-up was Emma Mulvaney, who will be a senior at New Philadelphia, and is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Mulvaney. Mulvaney sang 1,2,3,4 by Feist during her talent performance.
Richelle Aksterowicz was crowned as second runner-up. She is a daughter of Mark and Sandy Aksterowicz of Dover, and will be a New Philadelphia High School sophomore in the fall. Aksterowicz played her ukulele for the audience, and cites her older sister, Allie, who was the 2009 queen, as part of her inspiration for competing in the contest.
Junior Parade Marshal winners were also announced during the evening . Cassidy Loos, 7, and Sebastian Morales, 9, raised the most money with their canisters and so were awarded new bicycles and the opportunity to ride on a float during the First Towne Days Parade.
Specially honored was Judy Miller, long time pageant coordinator and queens chaperone, who was credited for helping build the pageant to what it is today.
Judy is the most phenomenal woman I have ever met in my life, stated pageant organizer Debbie Henry as Miller was presented with her very own queens sash and a sparkling crown much like the ones she has helped to bestow on dozens of young women throughout the years. Judy is going to be on the float during the parade on Friday night as Parade Grand Marshal, surrounded by many of the former queens who are able to come back for this. There is no better way to honor Judy. This is Judys fifteen minutes of fame. Every queen should have a crown, so we are having her stand up here to receive her own crown and sash. Judy, would you please give the queen wave?
With that, Miller turned to the audience and gave the wave that she has taught to so many young ladies through the years.
