Nine to compete for 2016 Coal Queen title
2015 Coal Queen Katlyn Allison
Crownbearer Kennedy Martin
Olivia Lowther
JoDee Thomas
Morgan Voithofer
Taylor Assad
Madison Detrick
Maggie Ewing
Cora Goforth
Claire Kreider
Olivia Kula
Nine young women will compete for the title of 2016 Coal Queen during the 63rd annual Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Pageant, which will be held Sunday in the Carmichaels Area High School auditorium.
The event will mark the end of the reign of 2015 Coal Queen Katlyn Allison of Carmichaels Area High School and the beginning of a new queen’s era.
The contestants represent school districts in the tri-county area and were chosen in preliminary pageants at their schools. Candidates must be seniors at their respective schools this fall.
Doors open to the public at 6 p.m. and the pageant will get underway at 7 p.m.
As part of the pageant, awards will be presented for the top scores in the categories of interview, evening gown and answers to impromptu questions.
Special awards will be given to contestants who raise the most sponsorship money and to the contestant voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.
The evening will culminate with the naming of the first, second, third and fourth runners-up and the new queen. The pageant is part of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Show, which will be celebrated next week. The crownbearer for the pageant is Kennedy Martin, daughter of Adam and Sheena Martin.
The candidates for this year’s pageant are:
JoDee Thomas, representing Albert Gallatine High School. She is the daughter of Paul and Rita Thomas, and participates in marching band, concert band and silks.
Madison Detrick, representing Bethlehem Center High School. She is the daughter of Jason and Heather Detrick and participates in majorettes, National Honor Society, Leo Club, Relay for Life, Teen Outreach advisory board, youth traffic safety council and Spanish Club.
Taylor Assad, representing Brownsville Area High School. She is the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Assad and participates in cheerleading, junior class, National Honor Society, homecoming court, student forum, Interact Club, Tri-Hi-Y, SADD, environmental club, student council, The Future is Mine, Reading Buddies and French Honor Society.
Morgan Voithofer, representing Carmichaels Area High School. She is the daughter of Jason Voithofer and Heather Tokarcik and participates in National Honor Society, SADD, drama club, chorus, Ladies Ensemble Chorus, cheerleading, yearbook, Spanish Club and student council.
Maggie Ewing, representing Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School. She is the daughter of J.D. and Melanie Ewing and participates in National Honor Society, cheerleading, spring musical, French National Honor Society and SADD.
Olivia Kula, representing Laurel Highlands High School. She is the daughter of Frank and Jill Kula and participates in cheerleading, SADD and Spanish Club.
Cora Goforth, representing Mapletown Junior-Senior High School. She is the daughter of James and Cheryl Goforth and participates in band, academic league, debate team, reading competition and National Honor Society.
Olivia Lowther, representing Uniontown High School. She is the daughter of Carol and John Lowther and participates in Bible Club, Interact Club, twirling, musicals, one act plays, show choir, student council and SADD.
Claire Kreider, representing Waynesburg Central High School. She is the daughter of Lowell and Dani Kreider and participates in National Honor Society, debate, Spanish Club, youth and government, American Red Cross Club, drama, choral union, newspaper, online magazine, leadership and global awareness, art club, broadcast and theater arts club and Quiz Bowl.