Jul 26, 2017 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Eden Rogers had not expected to become a Greene County celebrity. Then, on Sunday, the 16-year-old from Sycamore was crowned Miss Rain Day.

“I didn’t expect to win,” Rogers said in an interview Tuesday. “All of the other girls were so talented and intelligent and super nice, so it was a surprise.”

Rogers was one of six girls competing for the crown. Others were Rory Black, 15, of Wind Ridge; Aliceon Clark, 15, of Greensboro; Claire Dursa, 15, of Carmichaels; Lakelynn Martin, 14, of Waynesburg; and Alizah Beth Roberts, 14, of Carmichaels.

“When you think of a pageant, everyone’s kind of aggressive and competitive, and that’s what I kind of expected,” Rogers said. “But it wasn’t like that at all. The girls were all so nice, easy to talk to, and I enjoyed spending time with all of them.”

The girls had to write two essays, obtain $500 in sponsorships, model sportswear and an evening gown, complete an interview with the judges and perform a talent routine in front of the audience Sunday afternoon in the Waynesburg Central High School auditorium.

Rogers performed a tap dance to “Swing Love.” She won the top interview, top sportswear, the John O’Hara Essay Award, the Scholastic Achievement Award and tied for top evening gown with first runner-up Dursa.

Dursa also won the top talent with her rendition of “Not For the Life of Me” from “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Clark, who was second runner-up, won the Pageantry Spirit Award and Miss Personality. Roberts won Miss Photogenic, the Kelly Smotzer Award and the Remo Bertugli Essay Award.

Rogers received the crown from the 2016 winner, Bryn Patton. Rogers said she and Patton attend the same dance studio and that Patton is the one who convinced her to compete.

“She and my dance teacher asked me if I would do it,” Rogers said. “There were a lot of really nice scholarship opportunities, and I can’t pay for college by myself.”

Rogers, a junior, said she plans to attend college, possibly West Virginia University, and double major in English and harp, which she’s been playing for years.

Rogers will need to complete a community service project during her yearlong reign as Miss Rain Day, but she said she’s not yet sure what that will be. She said she wants to find a project that will incorporate the partnership of other Miss Rain Day contestants.

Rogers said she’s excited for the year to come and to proudly wear the crown at community functions, parades, festivals and, of course, Rain Day this weekend.