'Miss Firelands' to be crowned

Editor's note: Willis is the director of the Miss Firelands Festival Pageant. NEW LONDON — The Miss Firelands Festival Pageant will be hosted this Saturday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at New London High School, 1 Wildcat Drive in New London. The pageant is in its 4th year since returning after 20-plus years. The program continues to grow and this year has the largest number of girls competing. A total of seven girls are vying for the crown. I'm so happy to see the numbers grow and having four freshmen is promising for the future. The contestants spend two weeks before the pageant learning two dance routines, preparing for interviews and mastering the skill of walking in high heels. The girls had a special guest join them for one of their practices. Miss Ashland and 4th runner-up in the Miss Ohio pageant, Grace Bryant from Ashland. She was a wealth of knowledge. She was a blast to be around and had so much positive energy. You just wanted to smile in her presence. "Grace helped answer my questions about how to have a successful interview," said 3rd year contestant Amelia Mitchell. "I feel more confident about my interview this year." The contestants will compete in five categories: casual wear, physical fitness dance routine, personal interview, evening wear, and on stage question. "I'm excited about the dances," said first-year contestant Morgan Shepherd. "I'm excited to show my personality through dance and the casual wear," added Bella Osterland, also a first-year contestant. "I like that we get to pick an outfit of our choice that best showcases who we are." Each contestant completed a community service project of their choice. There will be three extra awards: the Miss Community Service award given to the contestant that has the highest interview score; Miss Congeniality, which is voted on by the contestants; and the Miss People's Choice, which is voted on by the audience. Top prize is the crown as the Queen. There will also be a 1st and 2nd runner-up. Admission is $5 per person and age 5 and under is free. All tickets are sold at the door and the doors open at 5:30 p.m. Meet the contestants • Chloe Cooke is a freshman and the daughter of Colt and Sondra Cooke. She participates in volleyball, basketball, softball, ballet and jazz. She is an honor roll student. Her community service project was helping at the New London Public Library. • Josalyn Ives is a Freshman and the daughter of Bobbie and Katie Ives. She is active in volleyball, basketball, softball, color guard andwinter guard. She is a high honor roll student. Her community service project was cleaning flower beds at Stein Hospice. • Bella Osterland is a junior and the daughter of Amanda Osterland and Robert Osterland. She is a member of the color guard and winter guard team, and on the cheer squad. She is class president and active in FFA as their vice president. Her community service was making "on the go" meal bags for the homeless. • Morgan Shepherd is a freshman and the daughter of Robert and Courtney Shepherd. She is on the cross-country team and cheer squad. She is a high honor roll student. Morgan's community service was helping a neighbor with household chores. • Rhema Thomas is a freshman and the daughter of Lenus and Divya Thomas. She is on the basketball and track team and in the marching band. She is a high honor roll student and student council president. Her community service project was donating 19 inches of her hair to cancer patients. • Amelia Mitchell is a junior and the daughter of Josh and Kathy Mitchell. She is on the girls wrestling team and dances with Boss Dance Studio. She is a high honor roll student. Her community service project was helping with her church's vacation Bible school. • Leah Willis is a senior and the daughter of Mike and Samantha Willis. She is a member of the volleyball, wrestling and track team. Leah is also the captain of the color guard and winter guard team. She is a high honor roll student and takes college prep classes. Her community service was helping a friend with yard work and making them a meal. The current Queen, Paiton Shepherd, will be there to crown the new Miss Firelands Festival Queen. It has been fun collaborating with Paiton on this year's pageant. She has a big heart and a passion for helping others. She has been a great mentor to the contestants. Paiton has done an amazing job holding the title and I know she has a bright future ahead of her. Paiton will be a high school senior this year and plans to pursue a career in nursing. "This pageant became so much more than a competition, it became a sisterhood, a support system, and a part of who I am," Paiton said.