Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — The inaugural Wilkes-Barre Cherry Blossom Festival Pageant wasn’t just mid-day entertainment for festival goers on Sunday — it raised money for a good cause as well as the self-esteem of the young women who participated.
The pageant, which benefited the Children’s Miracle Network, was the brainchild of Madison Dompkosky, a 15-year-old student at Wyoming Seminary and the David Blight School of Dance who thought the pageant would be a great way to benefit the community and model community-minded efforts as an example to young people.
As 13 young people — in categories of “princess” for those from 7 to 11, and “queen” for the 12-to-16 set — made their way across the Martz pavilion, first to introduce themselves, then to perform, and finally to answer a question while decked in formal attire, Dompkosky reminded them that they were all winners simply because of their willingness to participate and learn.
Talents ranged from tap to jazz to modern dance to singing.
Interests also varied widely, even including pig farming — a favorite activity and possible career choice of princess contestant Gabrielle Cigarski, a third-grade student in the Lake-Lehman School District.
Linda Zaneski, a judge for the event, reinforced a positive spirit, saying that on a different day, others young ladies might have won. She encouraged participants not to give up and to enjoy the process of pageant participation.
Zaneski, and Edwardsville resident and Miss Pennsylvania 1991, smiled as she told attendees she had competed for the title of Mrs. Pennsylvania last year, and had come in first runner up, “again.”
“I have no doubt that we have some Miss Americas here today,” she said. “I enjoyed the talent and listening to the young ladies.”
Cheers erupted from crowd as the winners were announced: 10-year-old Alyson Lenker, a fifth-grade student at Bear Creek Community Charter School, won the princess category, and Kelly Grevera, 12, of Wanamie, was named festival queen.
Charla Ulitchney, Alyson’s mother, had tears in her eyes after her daughter, decked in a yellow gown, was named princess and had a tiara placed atop her curly red locks.
Ulitchney said that both she and Alyson were ready for the duties of the year ahead of them filled with parades and community service.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” she said.
Pageant victories weren’t limited to the top vote getters. There were personal victories won as well.
Savannah Burney, 6, who competed in the princess category, was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and pan-hypo-pituitarism. In spite of those challenges, she has recently been accepted in the gifted program at Solomon Elementary School. And now, she also has the confidence of a pageant contestant under her belt.
Burney left the stage sporting not only in a feathered, glittery pink gown, but a smile for those who greeted her. She had been introduced as a “caring and compassionate young lady.”
At the closing of the pageant, Dompkosky encouraged attendees to enjoy the rest of the Cherry Blossom Festival, complete with carnival rides, games and food vendors. And she thanked the Wilkes-Barre officials for allowing her to hold the pageant, which she said would provide a great benefit to sick children.