Will go on to compete for state fair queen title The Dominion Post
Pageant contestants at the 21st Annual Florence Merow Mason-Dixon Festival soldiered through a switch in master of ceremonies and chilly weather in their quest for a crown Saturday.
Melissa Sue Jackson, a student at Tyler Consolidated High School, was named the 2007 Queen of the Monongahela. Jackson will represent the festival at the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals pageant in January, according to master of ceremonies Cindy Frich.
She will compete against about 70 to 80 other title holders throughout the state for the state fair queen title.
I worked hard to get where I am," Jackson said. "It's a great feeling to represent the Monongahela River."
Jaclyn Hoover, 19, was selected as first runner-up, followed by Megan Nicholson, 17.
The Queen of the Monongahela pageant was for ages 16-21. Though Jackson is 15 years old, Frich said Jackson will turn 16 by the date of the January pageant.
Frich, a member of the festival's board of directors, was chosen to fill in last-minute as master of ceremonies after two others canceled.
"I enjoyed it," Frich said. "The girls are very intelligent. They knew what they were doing and they had a lot to say."
Other winners include:
Mason-Dixon Teen Queen Danielle LeRae Eddy, 15; Aubreianna Marie Blair, 15, first runnerup; Keylea Varner, 14, second runner-up. The competition was for ages 13-16.
Young Miss Mason-Dixon Alicia Holloway, 11; Kaelynn Bragg, 9, first runner-up; Hunter Madison Haught, 12, second runner-up. The competition was for ages 9-12.
Little Miss Mason-Dixon Autumn Paige Haught, 8; Made Leigh Bliss, 7, first runner-up; Jillian M. Kisner, 7, second runner-up. The competition was for ages 5-8.
Tiny Miss Mason-Dixon Olivia Marie Mitchell, 3; Sarah Lojewski, 4, first runner-up; Nevaeh Jones, 3, second runner-up. The competition was for ages 3-4.
Little Mister Mason-Dixon Cameron Selders, 6.
Tiny Mister Mason-Dixon Raven Osborne, 4.
The 21st Annual Florence Merow Mason-Dixon Festival continues today at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park.
There is free admission to the festival all weekend.
River activities begin at 11:30 a.m.; 12:30-2 p.m., 501 Band; 2:15-3:15 p.m., The Medley Family; 3:30-4:15 p.m., Elvis impersonator. A talent show will be from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Harmony Boys will close the festival, performing from 6-8 p.m.
Children's activities, such as puppet shows and storytelling, will also be held during the day.