Thirteen young ladies to compete for annual Coal Queen crown
CARMICHAELS — Thirteen young women are competing for the title of coal queen in this year’s Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Queen Pageant.
The 59th annual competition will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Stan Ferek Auditorium at Carmichaels Area High School, with the doors opening at 6 p.m. Admission is $8.
Candidates are selected for the competition by their individual high schools and must be a senior at their respective high school this fall. The winner Sunday will replace reigning 2011 Coal Queen Victoria Buchtan, a graduate of Carmichaels Area High School. She is the daughter of Butch and Vanessa Buchtan of Carmichaels.
Three independent judges from outside the area who are professionals in the fields of music, voice and/or dance judge candidates based on talent, poise and their answer to a private interview question.
At the end of the evening, individual awards are presented for top scores in the categories of interview, talent and evening gown. Special awards also are given to the contestant who raises the most sponsorship money and the contestant that is voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow participants.
The evening culminates with the naming of the first, second, third and fourth runners-up and finally the 2012 Coal Queen.
The 2012 candidates are, in alphabetical order:
n Ashley Avolio, daughter of Armando and Kathy Avolio of Washington, will represent Trinity High School. She will be performing a jazz routine to “Fever.” Avolio is a member of National Honor Society and French National Honor Society and participates in SADD, cheerleading, and youth traffic safety. She is captain of the Trinity varsity cheerleading squad, student council class treasurer and has received the Dance Makers Inc. Steven Boyd Dance Scholarship and the Retter/Clifton Dance Scholarship.
n Rachel Barber, daughter of Debbie and Gary Barber Sr. of Smithfield, will represent Albert Gallatin High School. She will be singing, “I Dreamed a Dream.” Barber is a member of National Honor Society, young astronauts, National Anthem Singers, Interact Club, yearbook, choir, drama club, newspaper staff and the varsity cheerleading squad.
n Emily Hillsman, daughter of Greg and Lisa Hillsman of Mather, will represent Jefferson-Morgan High School. She will perform an acro routine to “Lights.” Hillsman is a member of Junior National Honor Society, drama club, varsity club, varsity cheerleading squad, and the volleyball team. She has served as yearbook editor, freshman Homecoming and May Day attendant, sophomore Homecoming attendant, and volunteered with the Buoniconti Foundation and Greene County Humane Society.
n Jessica Lawson, daughter of Leonard and Lastenia Lawson of Uniontown, will represent Uniontown High School. She will perform a vocal selection. Lawson is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, drama club, SADD, student council and track and field team.
n Peyton McIntyre, daughter of Steve and Darlene McIntyre of Uniontown, will represent Geibel Catholic High School. She will perform a dance routine. McIntyre is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, calligraphy club, pep band and prom committee and president of the student council. She received the Challenge Program Academic Excellence Award for highest grade-point average and the Fayette Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month award and was selected to the all-county volleyball, basketball and cross-country teams.
n Morgan Miller, daughter of Tom and Judi Miller of Laurel Highlands, will represent Laurel Highlands High School. She will be performing a jazz routine to “Addicted to Love.” Miller is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, advanced theater, varsity softball team and junior achievement and is editor of the yearbook. She was named to the 2011-12 FCCA All-County Softball Team, the 2009 student of the year in physical education and received the Martha Susa Dance Scholarship and Joanna Piccolomini Dance Scholarship.
n Kaitlyn Nedrow, daughter of John and Tammy Nedrow of Connellsville, will be representing Connellsville Area High School. She will perform a vocal/dance selection. Nedrow is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Thespian International Honor Society, track and field team, prom committee, chamber ensemble, 16-notes ensemble and WPIAL qualifier in swimming and diving.
n Danielle Poling, daughter of Lisa Poling of Core, W.Va., and Danny Poling of Morgantown, W.Va., will represent Clay Battelle High School. She will perform a keyboard selection. Poling is a member of National Honor Society, SADD, Interact Club, RAZE, Future Educators of America, yearbook staff and prom committee. She was the Clay Battelle representative to Rhododendron Girls State, Art Olympics most creative, 2009 Miss Teen Clay District, and 2011 McDonald Employee of the Month.
n Hillary Pratt, daughter of Kevin and Kim Pratt of Carmichaels, will represent Carmichaels Area High School. She will perform a lyrical/acro routine to “Livestrong.” Pratt is a member of National Honor Society, junior standing committee, SADD and student council. She is the senior editor of the yearbook, plays flute and piccolo in concert band, is drum major for the marching band and a volunteer with the Carmichaels Mini-Mikes Youth Cheerleading squads.
n Lexie Rohlf, daughter of Michael and Tricia Rohlf of Brownsville, will represent Brownsville Area High School. She will perform a vocal/musical theater medley from “Phantom of the Opera.” Rohlf is a member of National Honor Society, Leo club, Thespian Society, The Future is Mine, Wellness Committee, Tri-Hi-Y, cross-country team, French National Honor Society and class officer. She is drum major for the Falcon Marching Band, received the superintendent’s award for three years running, district chorus, Fayette Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month, district and regional chorus, district band, Lions All-State Band and received two Tottie Awards for theatrical excellence.
n Breanna Shuckhart, daughter of Margaret and Charlie Shuckhart of Holbrook, will represent West Greene High School. She will perform a pointe routine to “Butterfly Kisses.” Shuckhart is a member of National Honor Society, varsity cheerleading squad, varsity track team and Student Senate. She has received the scholar athlete award, student of the month, Who’s Who for Science, Literature and Citizenship, MVP for cheerleading and was prom court attendant three years running.
n Jessica Swift, daughter of Anita Swift of Greensboro, will represent Mapletown High School. She will perform a jazz/musical theater routine to “But I’m a Good Girl.” Swift is a member of Upward Bound, The Future is Mine, Interact Club, varsity cheerleading squad, band and the Dancarama Club. She has received the Upward Bound Talent Show Award and participates in the Relay for Life.
n Abigail Walters, daughter of Dana and Greg Walters of Waynesburg, will represent Waynesburg Central High School. She will perform a contemporary jazz routine to “Do You Want to Dance?” Walters is a member of National Honor Society, Italian Club, FCA, SADD, art club, Alpha, prom committee and PennSeve. She has received academic awards in chemistry, physics, history, trigonometry, AP language/composition, Italian and ecology.