Deadline Approaching for Pageant Applications

Here's a news release from the Cambridge Springs Pageant Association reminding residents of the July 9 deadline for applying for the pageants. Download a pageant application here... (pdf).


With the July 9 pageant entry deadline quickly approaching, the 2007 Cambridge Springs queens encourage girls in the Cambridge Springs area to consider becoming pageant contestants. With four levels of competition, any female in first through 12th grade or those home schooled in the geographic area may enter in their respective contests as follow: Li’l Miss (entering grades 1 - 3), Jr. Miss (entering grades 4-6), Miss Teen (entering grades 7-9) and Miss (entering grades 10 - 12).

During the pageant rehearsals, the girls work on self-expression and honing their communication skills. The pageant categories are designed to enhance the girls’ abilities to express themselves verbally and artistically. It’s an opportunity for the girls to make new friends, to build character and to enhance their self-confidence.

Seventeen-year-old Miss Cambridge Springs, Kristy Tucci, has enjoyed her pageant experiences so much that she has competed in three of the levels of competition. In 1997 she had the good fortune of being chosen Li’l Miss Cambridge Springs and was subsequently crowned Jr. Miss in 2002. She has enjoyed serving as a mentor and doing service related events.

Kristy remarked, "As Miss Cambridge, I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many girls both my age and younger. I have been given a wonderful opportunity to be a role model to little girls and proudly represent my hometown. I have become so close to the other queens that I feel like I have gained three younger sisters. This is a great experience for any girl wanting to make a difference in peoples’ lives and their community."

Ciara Petrick, age 14, has competed in the Cambridge Springs pageants for three years and had the privilege of being crowned Jr. Miss in 2004 and Miss Teen in 2007. A cyber school student, Ciara enjoyed the interaction with the other girls and the pageants gave her an opportunity to try new things.

"Through my pageant experiences, I’ve made long lasting friendships, discovered that I love acting (my first talent was a skit), and learned that I didn’t have two left feet when it came to dancing. The pageant directors always made rehearsals fun and now getting on stage and speaking to adults is no problem with the confidence I have gained. Being Miss Teen has been a great experience from going to parades and passing out candy to getting to know and hang out with the other queens! I can’t wait to pass on the crown to the new Miss Teen Cambridge Springs in October; I just know she will have as much fun as I have had!" expressed Ciara.

Jr. Miss Alyssa Mitchell, who just completed the fourth grade, dazzled the audience with her vocal rendition of "Shout to the Lord" at last July’s pageant. Sharing her talent was a new experience that the pageant offered her.

Alyssa’s sentiments were "Last year’s 2007 Cambridge Springs Pageant was great, not just because I won but because I had a great support from my family and friends. If you work really hard, be yourself, and have fun you would be very proud of yourself even if you don’t win. It was hard at first singing in front of people I did not know and now I feel more comfortable singing in front of a crowd. Kristy and I even sang ‘The National Anthem’ at a Cambridge Springs Wrestling Tournament. I am having so much fun with Kristy, Ciara and Kiersten, and all the queens from Crawford Country. It is cool going to all the pageants and parades - getting all dressed-up."

Kiersten Potts, the 2007 Lil’ Miss who will be entering the fourth grade, is no stranger to the stage. Kiersten competed in six pageants (three in Cambridge and three in Conneaut Lake) before she took home the coveted crown. Sometimes perseverance is the key.

"Doing pageants is a great opportunity to meet new people and make lots of friends. My favorite part about being Li’l Miss is being in the parades and visiting different towns. I have also become good friends with Alyssa and like hanging out with her," Kiersten said.

All the queens acknowledged the fun they had at rehearsals and emphasized the bonds of friendship developed among each other. And an added bonus was the fantastic prize packages they were awarded. Last year, the Miss Cambridge Springs package alone was valued at over $800.00. The Pageant Association is looking into the feasibility of making a scholarship opportunity available down the road.

"We look at the pageant opportunity as a win, win situation. It’s a chance for the girls in the community to work together toward a common goal. They have fun, learn about themselves and others and are exposed to some experiences they may not normally get a chance to try. The title and crown are just an added bonus," commented Cambridge Springs Pageant Association President Lori Bogda.

The queens and their courts (first and second runners up) serve the Cambridge Springs community for approximately a one year period. They have participated in Light Up Night, rang the Salvation Army Bell, sang Christmas Carols at Golden Living Center, assisted with the Helping Hands Easter egg hunt, and participated in numerous parades and pageants.

This year’s pageants, "An Evening with the Stars," will be held on October 18 at Cambridge Springs High School. Rehearsals for the pageants will only be one day a week with some beginning in August and some starting thereafter.

For more information on registering for the pageants, contact Cambridge Springs Pageant Association Executive Director Johnna Gilliland at (814) 398-2997.