Jun 21, 2013 By For The Greene County Messenger 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – Seven young women from throughout Greene County gathered recently at the Glass Room in the Benedum Hall on the Waynesburg University campus to officially kick off their quest for the Miss Rain Day title.

These young ladies and their guests were treated to a dinner, courtesy of McCracken’s Pharmacy. Distinguished guests for the evening were Miss Kendall Lewis, 2012 Miss Rain Day, Miss Lilly Myers, 2013 Crown Bearer, and Miss Elissa McCracken, Miss Ohio 2012.

Lilly is the daughter of Amy and Ken Myers of Latrobe; Elissa is the daughter of Jeff and Helen McCracken of Waynesburg and was Miss Rain Day 2008.

The 35th annual Miss Rain Day Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by Rain Day Scholarship, Inc, will be held Sunday, July 28, at 4 p.m. in the Waynesburg Central High School auditorium.

The contestants will be judged on the basis of personal interview, sportswear, talent, and evening gown competitions.

Awards will be presented to those with top scores in these areas as well as Miss Personality, Miss Photogenic, the Kelly Smotzer Memorial Award, The Remo C. Bertugli Memorial Award, and returning this year, the Scholastic Achievement Award. Participation awards will also be given to all contestants.

A Rain Maker Award will be presented to the contestant who collects the most scholarships, and the John O’Hara Award will be given to the contestant who composes the best essay on what Rain Day means to them.

Westmoreland County Community College is again offering a tuition scholarship to Miss Rain Day 2013. The scholarship may be applied to any of Westmoreland County Community College’s 65 associate degree programs that prepare students for careers or provide the first two years of the bachelor’s degree.

Westmoreland County Community College President Daniel Obara noted, “On behalf of our Greene County Education Center, Westmoreland County Community College is pleased to offer a tuition scholarship to this year’s Miss Rain Day Pageant winner.”

In the next few weeks, the contestants will have their portrait taken courtesy of Bruno and Bruno photography, hold interviews with WANB Radio and “Crazy Dougie Wilson”, participate in a community service project and attend a special dinner and performance of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Limousine transportation to this event is being provided by Lewis Limousine.

The contestants will also spend an evening at the ball game watching the Washington Wild Things, volunteer their time at the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation Golf Outing and Rain Day 5K race.

After the pageant, Miss Rain Day 2013, her court and the contestants will participate in the Rain Day Festival on July 29, and the winners will perform for the festival goers.

Miss Rain Day 2012 Kendall Lewis, the 17-year old daughter of Mark and Jennette Lewis of Carmichaels, is guiding the 2013 contestants through their quest for the title and will relinquish the crown to one of this year’s contestant.

In her remarks to the 2013 Contestants, Kendall stated, “as I grew older, I started to realize that the title of Miss Rain Day is much more than just a pretty crown on your head. Miss Rain Day is a role model, a leader, and a young responsible girl who loves her community. That is exactly when I decided that I wanted to participate in the Miss Rain Day scholarship pageant.”

Those competing for the title and the schools they attend are as follows:

n Allie Christopher, the 16-year-old daughter of Kenny and Tammy Christopher of Carmichaels, Carmichaels Area Junior Senior High School;

n Amanda Frampton, the 15-year-old daughter of Stephen and Debra Frampton of New Freeport, West Greene High School;

n Stephanie Mitchell, the 16-year-old daughter of Jim and Becky Mitchell of Carmichaels, Carmichaels Area Junior Senior High School;

n Tanya Phillips, the 17-year-old daughter of Terry and Ethel Phillips of New Freeport, West Greene High School;

n Carly Riggi, the 14-year-old daughter of John and Josey Riggi of Rices Landing, Jefferson Morgan Junior Senior High School;

n Lesley Tift, the 17-year-old daughter of Wes and Justine Tift of Rices Landing, Jefferson Morgan Junior Senior High School; and

n Morgan Voithofer, the 14-year-old daughter of Jason Voithofer and Heather Voithofer, both of Carmichaels, Carmichaels Area Junior Senior High School.