Miss Rain Day
View Miss Rain Day contestant photos
The weeks leading up to the pageant have seen the contestants attend Greene County Day at Kennywood Park, volunteer at Heinz Field for Autism Speaks and give interviews on WANB Radio. The appearances have given the girls plenty of opportunities to practice their public presence, according to pageant director Kiperly Whitlatch.
“They have learned to speak clearly and come across as well-educated young ladies,” Whitlatch said. “Miss Rain Day has a lot of duties to fulfill.”
In her second year as pageant director, Whitlatch said she has learned to relax more and enjoy the pageant, including getting to know the contestants more personally.
“No matter what you do, there’s always something that happens,” she said. “You’ve got to learn to roll with the punches.”
Next year’s pageant will reflect some major changes and improvements that will be announced soon.
“There’s going to be some new, bigger and better things coming next year,” Whitlatch said.
At this year’s pageant, the contestants will be judged on their personal interviews, sportswear, and talent and evening gown competitions. All contestants will receive awards for participating, and awards will also be given to the top scorers for the interview, sportswear, talent and evening gown, as well as Miss Personality, Miss Photogenic and the Kelly Smotzer Memorial Award.
The girl who collected the most sponsorships will receive the Rain Maker award, and the contestant who was judged to have composed the best essay on what Rain Day means to her will receive the John O’Hara award.
The girl with the best essay on how a volunteering experience has changed her life will receive the Remo C. Bertugli Memorial Award, and the contestant with the top interview will receive a $2,500 tuition scholarship from West Virginia Junior College.
The winner will be crowned by Ali Nelson, Miss Rain Day 2006, who is the 17-year-old daughter of Dave and Heidi Nelson of Spraggs.
A week after the pageant, Miss Rain Day 2007, her court and the contestants will participate in the Rain Day Festival on July 29, with the winners performing.
The 10 contestants for Miss Rain Day 2007 are:
Danielle Bihun, the 16-year-old daughter of Debbie Whipkey of Waynesburg. Danielle will be a junior at Waynesburg Central High School this fall. She will be performing a character jazz dance to “Trouble.”
Melissa Brewer, the 15-year-old daughter of Greg and Corina Brewer of Waynesburg. Melissa will be a sophomore at Waynesburg Central High School in the fall. She will perform an acrobatic dance routine to “Unwritten.”
Erica Bristor, the 15-year-old daughter of John and Deborah Bristor of Waynesburg. Erica will be a sophomore at Waynesburg Central High School in the fall. She will be performing an acrobat and jazz routine to “Kiss of the Spider.”
Kayla Coss, the 15-year-old daughter of John and Jenny Coss of Waynesburg. She will be a sophomore at Waynesburg Central High School this fall. Kayla will be performing a jazz routine to “Everlasting Love.”
Mabel Susana Culp, the 15-year-old daughter of Joseph and Susana Culp of Clarksville. Mabel will be a sophomore at Jefferson-Morgan High School in the fall. She will perform a tap routine to “Step by Step.”
Ayrel Johnson, the 14-year-old daughter of Craig and Shelia Johnson of Mather. Ayrel will be a sophomore at Jefferson-Morgan High School this fall. She will be performing a jazz routine to “Black Cat.”
Cecilia Klein, the 16-year-old daughter of Jay and Regina MacDowell of Graysville. She will be a junior at West Greene High School in the fall. Cecilia will be playing her clarinet to the music “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach.
Elissa McCracken, the 15-year-old daughter of Jeff and Helen McCracken of Waynesburg. Elissa will be attending Waynesburg Central High School as a sophomore this fall. She will be singing “Let’s Hear it for the Boy.”
Jill Owen, the 15-year-old daughter of John and Jane Owen of Waynesburg. Jill will be a junior at Waynesburg Central High School this fall. Jill will be performing a point routine to “Tango for Two.”
Ashley Claire Rush, the 15-year-old daughter of Greg and Samantha Rush of Waynesburg. She will be a junior at Waynesburg Central High School in the fall. Ashley will be performing a tap dance to “Come Dance with Me.”