November 2007
As this is my last year of eligibility within the Miss America Organization, I hope to make my year as Miss Three Rivers a success, in the Greater Pittsburgh Community. Therefore, during my first month, I took take advantage of every opportunity I was presented as a titleholder, and started my year off with a “BANG”.
First, my family and I headed to the Eastern-side of the state in order to attend the York County Scholarship Pageants. Every year we have hoped to the pageant, but the Pittsburgh Panthers kept us from making the trip; as I was very busy during the past fall months, twirling for the home football games. This year, as it was my first season as an “Alum”, we listened to the game in the car, in lieu of attending the home game that weekend. We had a wonderful time, and it was great to see some of my fellow Miss PA Class of 2007 friends, and Rachel Brooks, Miss Pennsylvania, herself. As my first time attending the York County Scholarship Pageants, I would like to say, “Congratulations” to the York County Committee including Shana and Jerry Garling, alongside Linda and Steve Newport, for putting together a wonderful showcase of talent during their pageant. Furthermore, I would like to say, “Congratulations” to the newly crowned titleholders for the 2008 Pageant Season, including Sarah Timm, Miss Susquehanna Valley, Amanda Sellers, Miss White Rose City, and Randi Levendusky, Miss York County. That same afternoon, the Miss York County Outstanding Teen pageant was held, wherein Jill Wiley, was crowned Miss York County’s Outstanding Teen. Even though I was not able to attend the teen pageant held that afternoon, I am sure it was a wonderful production as well, and best of luck to Jill, during her year representing York County.
The following weekend, my family and I headed to Johnstown in order to attend the Miss Cambria County Scholarship Pageants. As Miss Cambria County 2006, it felt great to return to the Johnstown Area to visit with my Cambria County family and friends. I was honored to help with the crowing of the “Little Princesses” during the pageant, and thank you to Ronnie, Debbie and Paul Weaver for this opportunity. The pageant itself was entertaining and at the end of the evening, six new titleholders were crowned including Tiffani Boyd, Miss Cambria County, Carmen Bloom, Miss Greater Johnstown, Lucy Hazelet, Miss Richland Area, Ashley Valentin, Miss Cambria’s Outstanding Teen, Katy Galimberti, Miss Greater Johnstown Outstanding Teen, and Hannah Pratt, Miss Richland Area Outstanding Teen. Congratulations to all the new titleholders on a job well done!
After a late return home from Johnstown, I was up bright and early, in order to attend “Norwin Cheermania” a fundraiser held for the Norwin PAL Cheerleading Teams. During the event, I was able to perform my talent during the Opening Ceremony, to kick-off the day’s competition, signed autographs and assisted during the Awards Ceremony. Needless to say, at the end of the day, I was exhausted and ready for rest!
The next event I attended was the Norwin Light-up Night Parade, in order to celebrate the beginning of the 2007 Holiday Season. One of my best friends while growing up, Chantal Germek, was able to serve as my official “driver” for the parade. As Chantal is a racecar driver, she was excited to help, but for this cruise, I told her that there was NO NEED FOR SPEED, to ensure I did not fall out of the car. Thank you to Chantal for driving me through the parade route, and I will note that we had a great time and there were no injuries!
That weekend, my family and I traveled to Lewistown, in order to attend the Miss Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageants. As always, we had a fun time during the car ride! John and Rosie Metzger never fail to put on a great show that truly features their reigning titleholders. I have always enjoyed the Miss Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant, either as a contestant or audience member, and this year was no exception. At the culmination of the show, four new titleholders were announced as the winners including Eka Akakapip, Miss Central Pennsylvania, Anna Welsh, Miss Greater Juniata Valley, Erica Bristor Miss Central Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, and Hannah Timm, Miss Greater Juniata Valley’s Outstanding Teen. Congratulations to each of the new titleholders and best wishes during your reign!
Following our trip to Lewistown, the next day headed to the Hyatt at the Pittsburgh International Airport, in order to cheer on MAO girls, at the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant. Congratulations to Jo Marie Rankin, former Miss Jewel of the West, in her top 15 finish and to LauRen Merola, who was awarded the Photogenic Award and was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA! I was so happy for both of my friends, on a great finish, and will be cheering for LauRen as she represents Pennsylvania at the Miss USA Pageant in the upcoming months!
After the pageant, we headed Steinmart in the North Hills, in order to participate in “Shop with the Stars” along with Elena LaQuatra, Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, Jenna Smaldino, Miss Moraine State Outstanding Teen, and Kelsey Pitini, Miss Jewel of the West. At the event, we all had a fantastic time helping to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation, of the Alleghenies, during this exclusive shopping event and the sales of the raffle tickets. Thank you to Erin for inviting us to participate in this event and I look forward to working with the National Kidney Foundation, of the Alleghenies, again, in the future!
In review, my first month as Miss Three Rivers was very eventful and I look forward to the upcoming months as well! Warm regards, to my readers, as we have entered the beginning of the 2007 Holiday Season. I wish you all a wonderful time, to enjoy spending time with family and friends and spreading the “holiday cheer”!
Warmly,
Jessica Megliss
Miss Three Rivers 2007-2008