Miss Rain Day reflects on reign ahead of Sunday’s pageant
Miss Rain Day 2017 Eden Rogers
Rory Black
Alison Blair
Peyton Christopher
Joelle Pahanish
Loren Schroyer
Isabelle Tedrow
Sophia Faddis
Jeanine Henry
The 2018 Rain Day pageant crown bearer, Sophia Faddis
Waynesburg’s queen of precipitation recalls her reign fondly, remembering all of those who helped her out along the way.
Eden Rogers, 2017’s Miss Rain Day, will crown her successor at Sunday’s annual pageant before the Rain Day Festival July 29 in downtown Waynesburg.
Before then, though, she has just a few more moments to reflect before passing on the title.
The 16-year-old Sycamore resident is thankful for the many experiences she otherwise would have never had the chance to do without the Rain Day pageant. She’s been very busy, but said the past year has been a whirlwind of support and positivity.
Though it was difficult to select a single favorite memory from the past year’s events, Rogers was able to narrow the field down to three. On Tuesday, she was in the Jacktown Fair parade. Rogers said she had been attending the annual festival since she was very small with her “pap,” so bringing that experience full circle was exciting.
Rogers also had the opportunity to read to children on several occasions, something she hadn’t done before becoming Miss Rain Day.
She said the kids were attentive, engaged and welcoming, making it a fun and rewarding activity.
Finally, Rogers recalls being the grand marshal of the annual Christmas parade and said those who accompanied her in the carriage made it all the more enjoyable.
To the next Miss Rain Day, Rogers offered some words of wisdom.
“Take every opportunity that you’re given, but don’t let it stress you out,” she said, recalling her hectic schedule. “Make sure that it’s not too much, but try to do everything that you can to represent the community.”
For her service project, Rogers and the 2018 pageant contestants made deliveries for Meals on Wheels and provided music and dance demonstrations to children at Rainbow’s End Learning Center in Waynesburg.
Rogers is the daughter of Jason and Shelly Rogers and will be a senior at Waynesburg Central High School this fall. After graduation, she plans to attend West Virginia University to double major in harp performance and possibly environmental science. She’s still determining her second major choice.
The summer has flown by, and after Rain Day, Rogers said she really wouldn’t have the opportunity for a break. Band camp is set to start soon.
She plays the trumpet and mellophone for marching band and French horn for concert band.
There are countless people to thank for their help along the way, she said, including Rogers’ parents and family, pageant runners Jeanine Henry and Emilia Bertugli, and her dance teacher.
She also recalled the kindness of state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll, who invited her to the state capitol for a tour and introduced her on the floor.
Rogers added even though she was not in session, Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, made the trip to Harrisburg for the event.
She said both politicians made her feel welcome at countless events across the area.
Six contestants will compete for the crown during the pageant at 4 p.m. in the Waynesburg High School Auditorium.
- Rory Black, the 16-year-old daughter of Robert and Betty Jo Black of Wind Ridge, will be a junior at West Greene High School.
- Alison Blair, the 16-year-old daughter of Laurie and Michael Blair of Waynesburg, will be a junior at Waynesburg Central High School.
- Peyton Christopher, the 14-year-old daughter of Ryan and Melissa Christopher of Carmichaels, will be a freshman at Carmichaels High School.
- Joelle Pahanish, the 16-year-old daughter of Dave and Tammy Thistlethwaite of Jefferson, will be a senior at Jefferson-Morgan Junior Senior High School.
- Loren Schroyer, the 13-year-old daughter of Joel and Courtney Schroyer of Waynesburg, will be an eighth-grader at Margaret Bell Miller Middle School.
- Isabelle Tedrow, the 14-year-old daughter of Ken and Tarisa Tedrow of Jefferson, will be a freshman at Jefferson-Morgan Junior Senior High School.
Rogers said the young women who compete are supportive and intelligent and encouraged them to promote the community well.
Crown bearer Sophia Faddis is the 8-year-old daughter of Timothy and Melissa Faddis of Rices Landing.
She will be in third grade this fall at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary.