Pageant Press: Miss Muskingum Valley

Miss Muskingum Valley will take place tonight and tomorrow night; later this afternoon I'll post the contestant's headshots and what I know about some of them.

Contestants prep for pageant crowning
Jennifer Manfrin
Zanesville Times-Recorder

ZANESVILLE -Twenty-one bright, enthusiastic young ladies are gearing up to see which one will be crowned Miss Muskingum Valley this weekend. The two days of pageantry will take place Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Secrest Auditorium.

..."I'm nervous but really excited," said contestant Kadi Lepi of Zanesville, who is a senior at Rosecrans High School. "It's been a great experience, and has really boosted my confidence. And all of the girls have been so sweet."

...A modeling workshop was held this past Saturday at Philo High School in which the current Miss Ohio, Karissa Martin of Woodsfield, gave tips to the contestants. This included advice for the swim suit and evening wear competitions.

"Hopefully it will give them a little confidence when they get out on stage," said Martin. "It's nice to be able to pass off some of that knowledge."

...Brandi Herceg of Steubenville, a junior at Franciscan University majoring in early childhood education, is excited about Miss Muskingum Valley and all that is has to offer.

"I think it is a great program and I would encourage all young women to get involved as soon as they can," she said.

Click on the title above for the whole article.

A similar article was published on whiznews.com:

Gearing up for Miss Muskingum Valley 2009
Audry Kensicki

It's not just beauty the next Miss Muskingum Valley needs to have, but much more.

..."Specifically they're learning how to walk slowly to be graceful and show their beauty," said Executive Director of Miss Muskingum Valley Stina McKendry. "They're learning a lot of social development skills, self-confidence. Their level of self-confidence totally boosts when they do a program like this. They're encouraged to become involved in their community in some way. It's a great positive experience for them."

The current Miss Ohio Karissa Martin stopped by to give the girls some tips for the competition.

"As Miss Ohio, I've been in these girls shoes. Many of them are new to the Miss America Program," said Martin. "I'm here to give them a few tips, a few pointers to help them be more confident once they get up on stage, a little bit of extra practice. I know they'll have rehearsal on Thursday and Friday, but it's just to give them an extra edge. It's like a big sister teaching a little sister."

The Miss Muskingum Valley Competition will take place at 7:30 p.m. both Friday March 6th and Saturday March 7th at Secrest Auditorium.

The preliminary round will be Friday. Both days will include evening wear, talent and swimsuit competitions.

Leonard Hill Photography is a Gold sponsor and official photographer of Miss Muskingum Valley; click here for their complete blog post on the pageant and it's director.

Stina McKendry is the Executive Director / Producer for Miss Muskingum Valley. Stina McKendry has a BFA in Music Theater and a BM in Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. Stina also has a Master in the Art of Teaching. A 12 year music teacher at Duncan Falls Elementary, Stina is the founder and director of the Broadway Babies.

...Stina is a past participant in the Miss Ohio preliminary, formerly known as the Miss Southeastern Ohio program, where she was a 1st Runner up and talent winner. Stina and her husband Jeff live in Duncan Falls with their two adorable little boys, Jack age 6 and little Luke who is almost 3 years old.