Jul 31, 2009 4 min read

CARMICHAELS – Emily Block, the 15-year old daughter of Stan and Sandra Block of Waynesburg, was crowned Miss Rain Day 2009 during the 31st annual Rain Day Scholarship Pageant on July 26 at the Carmichaels Area High School auditorium. Sponsored by Rain Day Scholarship, Inc., this year’s pageant was well-attended and featured the theme of “Vegas: The Rain Day Way.” The 12 contestants competing for the 2009 Miss Rain Day title were involved in a competition that included interviews, modeling of sportswear and evening gowns and a talent competition. Each part of the competition was worth 25 percent of the total score.

Block, who also won top sportswear, performed an original piano and singing selection titled “You’re the Only One I’ll Miss.”

First runner-up was Shelby Block, the 15-year-old twin sister of the 2009 Miss Rain Day. She won top evening gown, most photogenic and the personal interview. She performed a jazz dance to “Trouble.”

Second runner-up was Shannon Morgan, the 14-year-old daughter of Mark and Sharon Morgan of Waynesburg. Her tap dance performance to “Cupid Shuffle” won her the top talent award.

Third runner-up was Kelcee Headlee, the 16-year-old daughter of Amy and Derek Broadwater of Waynesburg. She performed a vocal selection to “At Last.”

Fourth runner-up was Mikayla Sonneborn, the 15-year-old daughter of Rick and Marcia Sonneborn of West Finley.

The pageant crown bearer was Miss Payden Policz, the eight-year-old daughter of Cheryl and Richard Policz of Waynesburg.

Christa Ziefel, the 14-year-old daughter of David and Cathy Ziefel of Nineveh, won two awards: The Remo C. Bertugli Award, which is awarded for best essay and is judged by the Bertugli family; and the Kelly Smotzer Memorial Award, a memorial donated by George and Rose Smotzer in memory of their daughter.

The first runner-up, Shelby Block, won the John O’Hara Award. The contestants wrote an essay on “What Rain Day Means to Me.” The essays were judged by a panel of journalists.

Kayla Coss, the 17-year-old daughter of John and Jenny Coss of Waynesburg, won the Rain Maker Award. The award is presented to the contestant that collected the most sponsorships.

The three judges were Kimberly Schnur, a resident of Butler County, Pa; Catherine Spafford, a resident of Avalon, Pa.; and Marissa Williams, a resident of Pittsburgh. All three judges had previously been involved in pageants and had extensive performing arts experience.

In all, a total of $6,600 in scholarships was awarded during the pageant.

The 2007 Miss Rain Day, Erica Bristor, served as mistress of ceremonies for the pageant. Bristor said, “Being a part of the Rain Day pageant was awesome, but it caused me to miss the competition.”

Emilia Bertugli, president of Rain Day Scholarship Inc. said she was proud of all the contestants.

“We had an excellent group of girls,” she said. “They were easy to work with, they were wonderful with each other. They enjoyed all the activities they participated in during the competition.”

Jeanine Henry, the events director for Rain Day Scholarship Inc., agreed, adding, “It was a great year. This was a fabulous group of young ladies.”

In regards to Emily Block, Henry said, “She’s just a phenomenal young woman.”

During the pageant, Elissa McCracken, Miss Rain Day 2008, relinquished her title and crowned the new Rain Day representative.

Reflecting on her year as Miss Rain Day, McCracken said she will never forget her experience.

“It’s been a fantastic, incredible, fabulous, and surreal year,” she said. “I wanted to be Miss Rain Day for so long. It’s been an indescribable feeling to finally achieve my childhood dream. It doesn’t seem like it’s already over.”

Just minutes after being crowned the 2009 Miss Rain Day, Emily Block was at a loss for words.

“It’s amazing and surprising,” she said. “When they said my name, I just started to cry.”