McKoy wins Miss Regatta title
POINT MARION – It was a hot, sunny day on Saturday, perfect weather for the 28th annual Albert Gallatin Regatta. The day kicked off with a memorial service at the Evergreen Cemetery, followed by the placing of the memorial wreath from the Cheat River Bridge.
The annual Regatta Memorial Day Parade was a big hit with crowds of bystanders lining the streets and even the balconies overhead.
One of the highlights of the day was the Miss Regatta Pageant held at the River Front Stage at the Point Marion community park.
The seven girls competing in the pageant participated in the parade prior to the competition.
Amanda McKoy, the daughter of Barren McKoy and Tracy Johnson of Adah, was crowned Miss Regatta 2007. She represented Albert Gallatin Area Senior High School in the pageant.
Ashley Thurby, daughter of Joe and Karen Thurby of Uniontown and representative of Laurel Highlands High School, was the first runner-up.
The pageant had two categories – an introduction portion that allowed the contestants to let the audience and judges know a little about themselves and a question-and-answer category where the girls had to each answer a different question such as where they feel they will be in 10 years and talk about a person whose life they have had an impact on.
McKoy said she is very active on Albert Gallatin’s girls varsity basketball team and spends a lot of her time volunteering and spending time with friends and family.
During the question-and-answer portion of the pageant, McKoy was asked if she could change one thing about her high school, what would it be.
“I would change the way that everyone is spaced apart, and no one comes together as one big group,” she said. “We aren’t all friends, and there are too many cliques. We should become one, big, happy family.”
Tara Danko, who was last year’s pageant winner, was on hand to crown the 2007 Miss Regatta.
Along with a crown, sash and bouquet of flowers, McKoy received a scholarship to West Virginia Junior College and a $200 cash prize from the Point Marion Rotary Club.
Thurby also received a $50 cash award.
Other events on Saturday included a river rescue demonstration by the Point Marion Volunteer Fire Department.
The regatta continues today. Events include a karate demonstration, a dance performance, a dream machine car show and a 5K walk/run.
The regatta activities will conclude tonight, following a fireworks display at the park at 9 p.m.