The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
15 to compete in annual pageant
Apple Festival Princess Pageant includes cash, prizes and tradition at Ely Square
There will be 15 young Elyria women competing in the 38th annual Elyria Apple Festival’s Princess Pageant on Sept. 22.
The event, which will have a patriotic theme, will take place at 12:30 p.m., during the Apple Festival — which developed the same year of the pageant — that runs from Sept. 21-23 in downtown Elyria’s Ely Square and surrounding areas.
The Elyria apple queen will receive $500 in cash, and prizes donated from local businesses and organizations valued at over $3,000, said a news release.
In addition, awards and prizes will be given to the first, second and third runners up as well as Most Creative Costume and Miss Congeniality.
Miss Congeniality is selected by her peer contestants at the last practice before the pageant, the release said.
This year’s queen will be crowned by 2017 Apple Queen Bekka Reaser.
Linda Brown, coordinator of the pageant and festival, said eight previous queens will attend this year’s festival.
Brown said the 1997 queen will attend, as well as a queen who now lives in Chicago.
“Many enjoy coming back to be part of the festival,” she said.
Gary Gibbs also will return as emcee for the day, accompanied by musician Keith Ransom.
The 2018 escorts are U.S. Army staff sergeants Juan Belgabo and Jordan Portillo from the recruiting office in Elyria.
The contestants put in hours of work and dedication to participate in the pageant, the release said.
The experience will leave them with many new friends, an increased pride for the city of Elyria and memories they will never forget, the release said.
Contestants for this year’s pageant:
• Katie Shawver, daughter of Kelly Dunbar and currently a senior at Elyria High School. Katie plans to become a doctor after graduation. She currently works as a cashier at the downtown Burger King and enjoys watching TV and hanging out with friends. Katie has 10 brothers and sisters, and family pets, Chance and Mylo. This is Katie’s second year in the pageant. She said she returned because it was a very fun experience.
• Zaria Michelle Amerson, daughter of Jamesha Amerson and a current student at Elyria High. After graduation, she plans to attend college and become an animator. Zaria has been honored as a volunteer youth worker at Oberlin Heritage Center and is active in an Animation Club. She has been on the honor roll throughout her high school career and enjoys drawing, animation, horseback riding and cooking. Zaria said she is participating in the pageant because she would like to try something new and show that everyone is special in their own way.
• Alexis Shawver, daughter of Kelly Dunbar and a graduate of Elyria High. She’s currently attending Lorain County Community College and studying to become a teacher. She is employed as a toddler teacher at Young’s First Step child care center in Elyria. Alexis has been involved in choir, orchestra, journalism and Link Crew. Her hobbies include painting and teaching. Alexis is a two-year past participant in the pageant and really loved the team building it helps provide.
• Amaree Jackson, daughter of Kisha Jackson.
She’s a student at Elyria High and plans to attend a four-year university majoring in health science to become a certified nurse practitioner. Amaree is involved with Elyria Teens Achieve Success and is a praise dancer at Impact Ministries, Girls Group. She enjoys volleyball, track, dance team and is an honor roll student. She entered the pageant for a new experience and the chance to meet new people from all walks of life. She added she’d also like to overcome her shyness.
• Sabrina Johnson, daughter of John Gutowski. She attends LCCC where she aspires to be a physical therapist. Sabrina is employed as a manager trainee at the downtown Elyria McDonald’s. Her hobbies include soccer, organizing community events at McDonald’s and hanging out with her son, Isaac. She is a returning participant who feels the pageant allows her to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds. Sabrina added that it brings people closer as a community.
• Alexis Claire Elbert, daughter of Joseph and Jennifer Elbert. She is a student at LCCC with hopes of transferring to Ashland University to complete a degree in early childhood education. Alexis is employed with Lorain County Metroparks and enjoys horseback riding, bowling and baking for family and friends. She entered the pageant because it was an annual tradition for her family to attend the festival and pageant. Now that she is of age to participate, she couldn’t be more excited.
• Katrin Patricia Miltenberger, daughter of Andreas and Rebecca Miltenberger. Katrin attends LCCC with hopes of working with special needs children as an occupational therapist after graduation. She is actively involved as a junior church teacher and vacation bible school assistant at Abbe Road Baptist Church and an assistant director for Sharon’s Signers. She is conversationally fluent in American Sign Language, holds dual citizenship with Germany and the United States and has made several trips to Germany to visit her grandparents. Katrin entered the pageant because her friend Emme Wysocki encouraged her and told her how much she enjoyed the experience.
• Tabatha Gutowski, daughter of John Gutowski. Tabatha is a student of Elyria High and hopes to attend college and study, either business or interior design, after graduation. She is a crew trainer at McDonald’s and is involved in the high school Pioneer Marching Band, National Honor Society A Cappella Choir and is a student aid for the Special Olympics. Her hobby is to play the saxophone, alto and tenor. Tabatha entered the pageant in order to step out of her comfort zone and make new friends.
• Nora Catherine Wright Terrell, daughter of Thomas and Lora Terrell. She is a student at LCCC where she is studying to be a registered nurse, and plans to go through the U.S. Navy Officer Program. Nora is employed as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA of Greater Cleveland. She also is a member of the JROTC, a teacher helper at Midview, involved with Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-aChild, a lifeguard and has CPR and first aide certification. Nora enjoys softball and cheerleading. She is a returning participant and thought her past experience was fun and she is aiming for a higher title.
• Markia Breanne Boone, daughter of Ricky and Marla Boone. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor of science in social work. Markia is hoping to acquire a position with a social services agency and start her own nonprofit organization.
She is a former Big Sister for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio, was involved as a member of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor’s Society and board member of the Black Intellects Group. Her hobbies include baking, cooking, writing and spending time with family. Markia entered the pageant to try something new, put herself out there and experience something out of her comfort zone.
• Ashley Meecha, daughter of Mark Meecha and the late Shari Reaser Meecha. She is a student at LCCC where she plans to receive a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in creative writing. Ashley aspires to be an English teacher and best-selling author. She is employed as a camp counselor and cashier with the Elyria Parks and Recreation and part of the Cleveland Cavaliers Promotional Team. Ashley volunteers at Finwood Estates for the Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas festivities. Her hobbies include writing, watching Cleveland sports and attending shows at Playhouse Square. She entered the pageant because she wants to represent her hometown that she loves, to inspire others to do something out of their comfort zone, to make her mother proud and to take over for her cousins Tricia, Kaeleigh and Bekka, who also competed.
• Jaden Robles Champe, daughter of Damien Spearman and LaToya Champe. She is a student at Elyria High and plans to enter the National Guard or Navy to become a travel or veteran nurse. Jaden is employed at McDonald’s as a guest experience leader and is involved in volleyball, track, Link Crew and Special Olympics. Her hobbies include cleaning, organizing and attending volleyball and football games. Jaden entered the pageant to bring the community together in a positive way.
• Angelique Prunty, daughter of David Prunty and Stacie Jones. She is a graduate of Elyria High and is attending LCCC where she is studying to be an Elyria police officer. She is employed as a dietary aide with Oneill Healthcare. Angelique enjoys softball, basketball and volleyball and helps youngsters learn how to play softball. Angelique is involved as a softball coach and a Salvation Army gift wrapper and bell ringer. She is a past participant of the pageant and entered because it is different than what is expected from a softball player.
• Taylor Willbond, daughter of Brandy Oates and Matthew Willbond. She is a student at LCCC where she plans to major in Interior Design. She is employed at American Eagle and Main Event in Avon.
Taylor is involved in National Honors Society, Key Club, Link Crew, a Safety Town instructor and a scorekeeper for volleyball and basketball. Taylor also is a life guard instructor. Her hobbies include reading poems and listening to music. She entered the pageant for her mom, who has always wanted to see her daughter participate.
• Morgan Annmarie Flores, daughter of Cynthia Montanez and Matthew Flores. She is a graduate of Elyria High and attends LCCC. Morgan eventually like to become a nurse. She was involved with Link Crew, choir and was on the honor roll. Her hobbies include singing and dressing up. She is one of seven siblings. Morgan is a past participant in the pageant and returned this year because it was a great time.