The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
QUEEN CROWNED
Annual International Princess Pageant celebrates city’s diversity
Emily Hetrick was crowned as the 2018 Lorain International Queen on June 21 at the 52nd annual Lorain International Princess Pageant at the Lorain High School Performing Arts Center.
Representing the Hungarian nationality, Hetrick, 17, of Elyria was overcome with emotion when she was announced as queen.
“It was a lot. This night was a lot,” Hetrick said. “I mean, I’m pretty sure all of us have been in this program and involved with the International Festival our whole lives and it’s kind of been leading up to this and the fact that we’re going home with a pretty crown is just unreal.”
She said capturing the title of
“It’s just crazy. It’s like you’d always hoped for but then when it actually happens you don’t know how to act.”
— 2018 Lorain International Queen Emily Hetrick
queen took her by surprise with all of the talented princesses around her. Hetrick drew inspiration from her cousin who took home firstrunner up in 2008.
Hetrick is joined on the royal court by first runnerup Emma Marie Kelley, a 17-year-old senior at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, representing the Lebanese nationality; second runner-up Katherine Jusiniani, 17, of North Ridgeville, representing the Filipino nationality, and third runner-up Ivelysse Gracia, 17, of Lorain, who is a senior at Elyria Catholic.
“I’m just in shock in guess. It just took you a second after you heard your name,” Kelley said. “It’s just crazy. It’s like you’d always hoped for but then when it actually happens you don’t know how to act.”
Kelley wore her mother’s dress in the pageant and was proud to follow in her footstep’s in representing her family’s Lebanese heritage.
“It’s just an honor really just to be passed down and just to know that my greatgrandma’s watching. I just want to make them proud,” Kelley added.
Hetrick will be attending Cleveland State University in the fall to major in theater with a minor in communications.
In going through the process, members of the court expressed how much the Princess Pageant exposed them to different cultures, allowing them to learn giving them an appreciation the story’s of Lorain’s international heritage.
“Learning that so many people have this same love for Lorain and love for their heritage and have these amazing story’s of their family’s coming to America, it’s just heartwarming,” Hetrick said.
“It’s just cool because there is no other city like Lorain. No one else does this… We have one event that brings everyone together and they remember their roots,” Kelley said.
Host Don Vincent echoed stressed the Princess Pageant is more than just a popularity contest, but it gives these young women an opportunity to learn more about their heritage and the ability to express and share it.
The 2018 International Queen and court will represent the International City at festivals around the state in addition to be awarded with scholarships donated by First Federal Savings of Lorain following the completion of their first semesters of college.
A staple of the Lorain International Festival dating back to 1967, the Princess Pageant plays a large role in harnessing Lorain’s identity as “The International City,” The 2018 pageant features 23 princesses representing 14 different nationalities.
Each of the 23 contestants began with introducing themselves and their heritage, with many contestants telling their own family’s immigration stories and journeys to the United States and The International City.