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.