Queen's Pageant

We Have a New Queen!

        Allie Aksterowicz, the 15-year-old daughter of Mark and Sandy Aksterowicz, is our new 2009 First Town Days Queen! She will be a sophomore at New Philadelphia High School this coming year. Her school activities include volleyball, varsity cheerleader, Ladies Ensemble, and a member of the Delphian Chorale. Allie has been a Student Council representative. Honors she has received include academic letter for 3.5 GPA or above for three nine weeks, and choir letter for Ladies Ensemble. Her community involvement includes 180 Noise Worship Team, and she is active in the 180 Youth Group. She has donated hair to Locks of Love, and participated in a benefit concert for Friends of the Homeless. Her hobbies include singing, running, tumbling, reading mysteries, camping, meeting new people, playing charades, watching "The Little Mermaid" and shopping for shoes.
        The contest was held Friday, June 26, 2009, at the Welty Middle School auditorium. Seven very talented and beautiful girls competed for the title. The 15-year-old said after the pageant that she was in disbelief. "Oh my gosh, did they really call my name?" she said. "I'm really excited to represent the First Town Days Festival."
        Allie said she is looking forward most to attending all of the area festivals during her 2009-2010 reign. During the program she sang "White Houses" by Vanessa Carlton for her talent presentation. In her introduction she told the audience that everyone should have a passion and that hers is music. She spoke of taking a "one-day visitor to her hometown" to her backyard for a bonfire and s'mores. Each contestant was asked to describe this scenario.
        Allie was crowned by 2008 First Town Days Queen Tiffany Hanzel.

        First attendant and the winner of the Miss Congeniality Award was Margo Pape. Pape, 16, is the daughter of Mark and Vickie Pape. The New Philadelphia junior performed the title song to the musical "On A Clear Day." Pape explained during the introduction that her parents had set high standards for her and that she enjoyed making up songs and poems to help her remember her studies. Pape recited a poem she wrote that she hoped would encourage the audience to remember her.
        Jennifer Hatfield, 17, was chosen as second attendant. Hatfield sang her rendition of the Beatles' hit "I Want to Hold Your Hand." She is the daughter of Tim and Tammy Hatfield and is a senior at New Philadelphia High.
        The seven contestants were ushered into the auditorium to the song "Pretty Woman" sung by guest vocalist Scott Miller. The stage was decorated with a large balloon arch offset by carousel horses.
        Bill Morgan of WJER served as the master of ceremonies. Judges for the event were Jim Shumway, a member of the board of directors of the Ohio Festivals and Events Assn.; Anne Guggisberg, a chairwoman for the Little Swiss Miss Contest at the Ohio Swiss Festival; and Donna Warner, a Queen's Committee co-chairwoman and chaperone for the West Jefferson Ox Roast.
        The pageant awarded $1,600 in scholarship money with Aksterowicz receiving $1,000. Pape and Hatfield were awarded $350 and $250, respectively. Each girl also received a tiara, sash and trophy.
Sections of this article have been reprinted with permission from the Times Reporter - Dover, New Philadelphia, OH