(PHOTOS BY JENNA FRISBY / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
QUEENS CROWNED … The Queen of Edon Pageant crowned their new royalty on Saturday evening. The new queens crowned were (Back) Miss Edon Avyonna Hamrick, Teen Miss Edon Avery Aldrich (Front) Junior Miss Edon Evelyn Hamrick, Little Miss Edon Penelope Hamrick. VIEW 251 PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jenna@thevillagereporter.com
The Queen of Edon Pageant held their “Once Upon a Time” competition at the Edon Northwest Schools Auditeria on Saturday, July 27th at 5:00pm.
The pageant consisted of twenty-four contestants all competing in their own divisions with the hopes of being crowned Miss Edon 2024. The pageant began with all the contestants, and 2023 queens, performing an opening number each dressed up in some Minnie Mouse Ears to complement their Disney theme for this year.
At the end of their dance all the girls held a pose joined together, in order for parents to get an opening photo.
While the girls prepared for their introductions and casual wear portion of the contest, the competition’s emcee, Brooklyn Morris, introduced the six judges for the evening and thanked an incredible list of volunteers and businesses who made the night happen.
Each judge was presented and a brief bio about her was read as well as how she came to be associated with the pageant industry.
The contestants in the pageant this year were: Little Miss Contestants Parker Pearson, Berkeley Hake, Kaylee Bockover, Sophia Jenkins, Aubriella Whitney, Penelope Hamrick, Avery Manges, and Aria Manges; Junior Miss Contestants Charlotte Bailey, Maddie Werling, Paisley Owens, Zoe Stump, Catherine Oberlin, Evelyn Hamrick, Marissa Disbro, Alivia LaLonde, and Amiya Myers; Teen Miss Contestants Alivia Whitney, Avery Aldrich, and Harley Owens; Miss Contestants Avyonna Hamrick, Lexi Hay, Autumn Owens, and Lilly Rolf.
Each contestant walked before the judging panel individually displaying their casual wear while they introduced themselves, spoke on their interests and thanked their sponsors.
Each contestant’s sponsors were as follows: Parker Pearson—Jeff & Tammy Fulk, Berkeley Hake—The Deli at Sixth and Main, Kaylee Bockover—Above the Norm Chicken, Sophia Jenkins—Sabre Industries, Aubriella Whitney—Hake Family Farms, Penelope Hamrick—Kingsley & Bank Co., Avery Manges—Dimension Hardwood Veneers, Inc., and Aria Manges— Edon Pizza; Junior Miss Contestants Charlotte Bailey—Spangler Candy Company, Maddie Werling—Enchating Excursions with Lea, Paisley Owens NWO Trucking, Zoe Stump—Stump’s Truck & Tractor Repair, LLC, Catherine OberlinEdon Farmer’s Co-op, Evelyn Hamrick—Fire & Iron M/C, Marissa Disbro—Disbro Farms & Trucking, Alivia LaLonde—Reitzel Ag, LLC, and Amiya Myers—Dimension Hardwood Veneers, Inc.; Teen Miss Contestants Alivia Whitney—Dimension Hardwood Veneers, Inc., Avery Aldrich—Miller Body Shop, and Harley Owens—Edon Pizza; Miss Contestants Avyonna Hamrick—Best Insurance & Financial Services, Lexi Hay—BlueScope Recycling & Materials. , Autumn Owens Eicher Subs & Pizza, and Lilly Rolf—Franz Nursery.
After the introductions, emcee Morris recognized and announced the six local Queens that were in the crowd. While the contestants prepared for the evening wear portion of the competition, the competition turned its attention over to the 2023 Queens: Miss Edon Alexis Dulle, Teen Miss Edon Clara Reitzel, Junior Miss Edon Cora Brigle, and Little Miss Edon Kennsington Carr.
The 2023 Queens decided to put on their own dance to the theme song of the show Prince of BelAir.
The competition then moved onto the evening wear portion of the competition for Little Miss and Junior Miss. As each of the girls walked before the judges in their beautiful gowns, a brief bio was read about them.
They were introduced, their parents were named, hobbies and interests were read, achievements they have made were noted, and their future goals were announced.
After each girl from the Little Miss and Junior Miss divisions had walked before the judges in their gowns, they then each came back out onto the stage to answer an onstage question which they drew from a jar.
Once the Little Miss and Junior Miss were done with their onstage questions, it was time for the Teen Miss and Miss contestants to walk before the judges in their evening wear. As they did, they were introduced, their parents were named, hobbies and interests were read, achievements they have made were noted, and their future goals were announced.
Following their initial walks before the judging panel, each of the Teen Miss and Miss contestants came back onto the stage individually to talk about their community concentration projects.
Teen Contestant Alivia Whitney spoke on her project Alivia’s Beautiful Blessings, in which she started in attempt to make a difference in the lives of people by putting together blessing boxes and gifts for individuals who are going through a hard time.
She was able to raise $1,100 for her project which was used to make boxes for 18 individuals, and with the extra monies she was able to purchase school supplies for kids in need.
Teen Contestant Avery Aldrich spoke on how she chose to gather donations for the Ronald McDonald House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This was close to her heart as her cousin, Grady, had actually had to stay in that Ronald McDonald House while he was sick, some time back.
The atmosphere that the Ronald McDonald House provided impacted her to want to help be a part if that change.
So, after helping out every way she could, Avery was able to gift $447 in donations as well as give over the large amount of pop tabs she had collected for then to utilize.
Teen Contestant Harley Owens spoke on her project A Million Things. Harley had started a letter writing program where people from around the area would write letters to active military members.
She talked about how a simple letter could brighten the day of those who are actively serving our country throughout the world. At this point she has collected 60 letters to send out to active military members.
Harley hopes that in continuing her letter writing program she can make a difference in the lives of those actively serving our country.
Miss Contestant Avyonna Hamrick spoke on a program she has started called Hamrick’s Little Helpers. Her program raises money to purchase gifts for local area foster children.
Having several adopted siblings herself, this is something that she is passionately behind as she’s seen firsthand how so many children are forgotten about on their birthdays when they are in the system.
So far, she has given birthday gifts to 307 children as of the end of 2023, and so far, this year, she has given birthday gifts to 295 foster children, and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
She hopes that through her project she can make sure that every child gets the birthday recognition they deserve, whether they’re in their forever home or not.
Miss Contestant Lexie Hay spoke on her project that she had started of the Free Little Library. Her idea is that with this project kids everywhere can have 24/7 access to books.
Hay has one Free Little Library box that she has built and placed in the town and through having available books to the community she hopes that it will benefit children and help to expand their imagination.
Miss Contestant Autumn Owens spoke on her project Little Free Pantries. She has placed two pantries in the community so far, one in Edon and one in Montpelier.
The idea behind the pantries is that anyone can take what they need from them. There is no application process like most food pantries have to qualify people.
She received help from Peltcs Lumber in building the boxes and has raised over $200 to purchase items to stock the boxes with.
Miss Contestant Lily Rohlf spoke on her work with Kate’s Kart. Kate’s Kart is a program which collects new books to distribute to kids throughout area hospitals while they are admitted.
And the best part is those kids get to keep the books! Lilly has raised over $100 to purchase new books and has received over 100 donations of new books. Anyone can donate to this cause at kateskart.org .
After a brief intermission the pageant continued into the awards portion. Before each division’s awards were presented, the past Queens from 2023 took a final walk before the judges and crowd while a goodbye message from each Queen was played.
Each 2023 Queen was presented by her parents. 2023 Queens and their parents were: Little Miss Edon Kensington Carr, walked by her parents Dustin and Stephanie Carr; Junior Miss Edon Cora Brigle, walked by her parents Scott and Jen Brigle; Teen Miss Edon Clara Reitzel, walked by her parents Jimmy and Jessica Reitzel; and Miss Edon Alexis Dulle, walked by Kevin and Laura Dulle.
After each Queen’s final walk, awards for the perspective divisions were handed out as well as the crowning of each divisions new queen. Awards presented and crownings were as follows:
For the Little Miss Competition: Berkeley Hake was awarded Most Photogenic, Avery Manges was awarded Miss Congeniality and 1st Runner Up and Aria Manges was awarded 2nd Runner Up. Crowned Little Miss Edon 2024 was Penelope Hamrick.
For the Junior Miss Competition: Alivia LaLonde was awarded Most Photogenic, Zoe Stump was awarded Miss Congeniality, Amiya Myers was awarded 2nd Runner Up and Paislee Owens was awarded 1st Runner Up. Crowned Junior Miss Edon 2024 was Evelyn Hamrick.
For the Teen Miss Competition: Alivia Whitney was awarded Most Photogenic and 1st Runner Up and Harley Owens was awarded Miss Congeniality. Crowned Teen Miss Edon 2024 was Avery Aldrich.
For the Miss Competition: Lilly Rohlf was awarded Most Photogenic, Autumn Owens was awarded Miss Congeniality and Lexie Hay was awarded 1st Runner Up. Crowned Miss Edon 2024 was Avyonna Hamrick.
After each divisions awards all contestants came back to the stage for final awards. The final awards presented were Top Seller, which was awarded to Alivia LaLonde, People’s Choice which was awarded to Parker Pearson, The Spirit of Pageantry which went to one contestant from each division those winners being: Sophia Jenkins, Maddie Werling, Harley Owens, and Lilly Rohlf.
The final award presented for the evening was the Director’s Choice award which was presented to Parker Pearson.
Lastly, the directors drew a ticket for the 50/50 raffle which presented a $107 winner. The directors, Stephanie Carr and Kyli McCullough-Gracia then thanked the crowd for coming out and for everyone’s hard work that they put into making the pageant such a success.
The 2024 Queens of Edon will get the opportunity to represent Edon and compete for the crown of Williams County in 2025.
