Page 16—SUSQUEHANNA BULLETIN Ramona Sell tells what it’s like to pageant; girls stir up excitement by Ramona Sell In addition to their talent and beauty, those aspiring to attain the title of Miss Lancaster County have one common goal -- this being to further their education. Although several people refer to this pageant as strictly a beauty contest, in reality the title of this contest, which is sponsored by the Ephrata Area Jay- cees, is the ‘‘Lancaster County SCHOLARSHIP Pa- geant. Combining many phases of competition, this pageant offers its contestants a unique opportunity to com- pete for scholarship funds. Contestants are chosen on the basis of a preliminary judging consisting of a talent presentation and a judges’ interview. Some of the basic requirements for these contestants, who must be between the ages of 17 and 28, are possessing good character, poise, personal- ity, intelligence, charm, talent, and beauty. These girls compete in evening gowns and swim suits, as well as in the talent competion. A private judges’ interview preceeds all other competition. Scholarships, wardrobes, accessories, and trophies constitute only a small part of the benefits gained from this program. The pageant offers an opportunity for young women to share and express their ideals and beliefs. The many weeks of preparation and rehearsal provide many new and lasting friendships and mem ories. Each contestant benefits by experience, fun, and a feeling of achieve- ment. This year, three of us from the Donegal area will compete for the title of ‘“Miss Lancaster County.”’ For three months, Gloria Longenecker and Kim Lau- ver, both of Mount Joy, and [ have been busily preparing our talent presentations and attending rehearsals for the pageant to be held this Saturday evening at the Ephrata Senior High School. ‘We all are excitedly anticipating the pageant. At pageant rehearsals we not only rehearse individual talents and production num- bers, but also spend ‘‘spare moments’’ becoming ac- quainted with the other contestants. There is always something available to occupy our time -- whether it be a rehearsal with the accompanist, a radio interview, a press picture, or instruction and tips from former contestants or Marlene Frank, the reigning ‘‘Miss Lancaster County.” Preparing for the pageant is not all hard work, however. Once twelve talkative spirited young women have become ac- quainted the obvious result is always the same -- noise, laughter, fun, and excite- ment! Believe me, there is never a dull moment. For example, last Satur- day, Gloria, Kim and 1 attended an all day rehersal at the Ephrata Senior High School. For lunch we were able to order ‘‘anything we wanted’ at the Ephrata McDonalds. 1 would ima- gine that ‘‘anyone’’ would take a second glance if he were to suddenly spy twelve smiling girls, along with the reigning Miss Lancaster County, walking into the same restaurant in which he was eating his lunch. Well, I estimate there to be approximately 70-80 ‘‘any- ones’’ in the McDonalds at that time. Have you ever tried to look sophisticated and glamorous while eating a cheese burger, fries, and sipping a milk shake-with two or three photographers running to and fro snapping your picture? September 24, 1975 be in the Miss Lancaster County in McDonald’s eatery in Ephrata One of our fellow con- testants was quite amused when, after she had walked to the end of a long line of people to wait for some catsup, a young man shout- ed ‘‘Everyone stand aside! Someone give the young lady some. catsup!’’ As you can see, wherever we go together there is always excitement. This week carries with it the heaviest load of pageant related activities. This Gloria Longenecker Brandt, Mumma win Melody Mumma When Donegal and Mount Joy students rode bikes for Retarded Persons in April, they brought to realization, a dream that LARC (Lancaster Associa- tion for Retarded Citizens) has had for the severly and profoundly retarded citizen. With funds from the Bike-a- Melody Mumma was given the oustanding scholarship award at the Lancaster County Junior Miss pageant. Bike-A-Thon provided money thon a center was located on the campus of Lancaster. Bible College. There Wil- liam Trowbridge, coordina- tor, guided the work of student volunteers in deve- lopting the individual inter- ests and capabilities of each retarded person. Kim Lauver evening we, along with the other nine contestants, will make our first scheduled public appearance in the Ephrata Fair Parade. The following two nights will be spent in production and dress rehersals. Then the big day -- SATURDAY. This day, also, is packed full of activity. Following an afternoon of private judges’ interviews, we will be guests of honor at a banquet at the Sheraton Conestoga Inn near Lancaster. The pageant begins at eight p-m. and is followed by a reception at the Ephrata Legion. Tickets for the reception are available at the pageant and at the door. The Miss Lancaster Coun- ty Scholarship pageant will certainly provide many last- ing memories for Gloria, Kim, and me. Junior Miss awards "Claudia Poandt Claudia Brandt won the award for poise and appearance at the Lancaster County Junior Miss pageant. Bike-a-thon Funds were used to purchase a mobile unit from Paul's Mobile Homes in Mount Joy for $5,500.00. The unit arrived on the campus Thursday, September 18. It contains five classrooms so that even mor individualized training that helps mentally retarded will be possible. LARC Bike-a-thon Funds are also being used to maintain and use a 15 passenger Dodge van for transporting trainable re- tarded person to sheltered workshop in Lancaster.
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