Participating in pageants is not just a skin-deep experience. It’s a chance to let your personality shine and your skill-set grow. And especially in this bicentennial year of our community’s founding, participating in the annual pageant is literally the opportunity of a lifetime.
Set for 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at the North Royalton High School Center for Performing Arts, the Bicentennial Festival Pageant features eight categories with new titles in honor of our city’s birthday: Little Miss Bicentennial (girls 7-9), Little Prince Bicentennial (boys 5-7), Sweetheart Bicentennial (girls 10-12), Princess Bicentennial (girls 13-16), Miss North Royalton Bicentennial (girls 17-21), Mr. North Royalton Bicentennial (17-21), Senior Queen Bicentennial (ladies 55+) and Senior King Bicentennial (men 55+).
Contestants gain more than just an opportunity to dress up and smile for the crowded auditorium. Oftentimes, contestants experience something life-changing while walking the glowing stage and answering interview questions.
For Megan Jean Blem, the community’s 2017 Miss North Royalton, competing in pageants formerly wasn’t even a thought she’d consider.
“Growing up I did not want to be a part of a beauty pageant, that all changed two years ago. In 2016, I competed for the first time against two other beautiful young women and was the first runner up. Determined to come back and follow my dreams, I was crowned the 2017 Miss North Royalton. I am honored and blessed to be able to represent our community. This pageant has given me the opportunity to grow as an individual, gifted me with a bigger family with my fellow court members, and the ability to seek out new experiences,” Blem said.
Symonne Harrison, who is currently Miss Ohio Pre-Teen and pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, learned the ropes by participating in our community’s annual pageants.
“I have loved participating in the North Royalton Pageants. I have been honored to hold the titles of Little Miss NR at age 7 and Sweetheart of NR at 10 years old. Participating in these Pageants helped me build confidence, learn interview skills, speak in front of people, form friendships and do community service and help others,” Harrison said in an email. “These valuable skills helped me win Miss Ohio Pre-Teen in 2017. I am now using these skills in Hollywood as I pursue my acting career. Being in the North Royalton Pageants has added to my joy of being on stage and entertaining others. I am very grateful to our city for having the North Royalton Pageant. I loved taking part in them and learning these amazing skills that I will take with me forever.”
The pageant is also an excellent way to display civic pride and become more deeply rooted in philanthropic activities throughout the city.
“This past December, my court and I had the chance to meet up one night to make more than 180 holiday cards and distribute them to our police and fire departments. Serving with my fellow court members has not only allowed for our relationships to develop, but our relationship to develop with our amazing community,” Blem said. “I am asking those who are considering competing in the pageant to do it, and remember that if you fall, you can always get back up and try again and again. Good luck, and I look forward to meeting everyone.”
The pageant, which is sponsored by Gross Residential and offers a range of accolades to its winners like cash prizes, flowers, certificates, medallions and trophies, is truly a cherished event that will be even more enchanting as the city rings in its 200th birthday celebration with a range of summertime activities.
“Participating in the Festival Pageant is a unique opportunity for boys and girls, and ladies and gentlemen, to hopefully become ambassadors of our great city,” said Maria Magnelli, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and editor of the Royalton Recorder. “This year will be especially exciting as some will be crowned in a special bicentennial year, a chance that comes around only once-in-a-lifetime.”
Entry forms are available online at nroyaltonchamber.com or at the Chamber of Commerce office located at 13737 State Road. Deadline to enter is July 13. The fee to enter is $12. Audience admission is free the night of the event.
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer
