GREENFIELD — After applying makeup, practicing their interview skills and studying up on the life of James Whitcomb Riley, 13 young women will compete for the title of Riley Festival queen in a pageant Sunday night at Greenfield-Central High School.
Pageant contestants are judged on their formal wear and interview wear before interviewing with a panel of judges. They will be asked questions about the personal information provided on their applications and about the history of the Riley Festival and Riley himself.
Contestants include Sarah Raven, Maggie Brown, Cassondra Jones, Nicole Wernimont, Aubree Cole, Kylie Rodgers, Crystal Peterson, Lily Ward, Lydia McIntire, Hanna Willis, Megan Roberts, Avery Spencer and Delanie Melton.
Pageant coordinator Anita Turner said the contestants are judged mostly on the interview portion, where judges look for the contestants’ ability to represent themselves and the festival well and to be “confident, poised and well-spoken.”
Contestants attended a workshop run by committee members Sept. 8, which provided instruction in makeup and interviewing skills.
“Those of us who are on the committee enjoy the opportunity to get to do that,” Turner said.
They also learned a group dance routine, choreographed by committee member Katrina Greene, which they will perform at the pageant.
The winner of the pageant will receive a scholarship as well as the privilege of handing out ribbons and making appearances at various events during the festival, which will run Oct. 3-6. She will also go on to represent Hancock County at the Indiana State Festivals Association Queen Pageant in Rockville.
Although the pageant is a competition, Turner said the contestants tend to quickly become friends and each others’ “personal cheerleaders.” Turner said it is a positive experience for participants, and five of last year’s contestants will be returning this year.
“We all feel that they do learn more about being more confident in speaking to people,” Turner said.
Manufacturer Keihin North America is the event’s sponsor; a representative of the company will present the Personal Choice Award to one of the competitors.
Contestants include Sarah Raven, Maggie Brown, Cassondra Jones, Nicole Wernimont, Aubree Cole, Kylie Rodgers, Crystal Peterson, Lily Ward, Lydia McIntire, Hanna Willis, Megan Roberts, Avery Spencer and Delanie Melton.
The pageant will be held in the Greenfield-Central High School auditorium at 6 p.m. Sunday and is open to the public.
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What: Riley Festival queen pageant
When: 6 p.m. Sunday (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Greenfield-Central High School
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