The Prowler Feb. 14, 201312 Features

Sophomores make historyat pageant

Emma Wernecke takes the top title and Abby Feltner named first runner-up

seniors Olivia Scott, Danielle Johnson, Hollie Floyd, Micole Mayfield, Livingston, juniors Michelle Smartt and Victoria Melton, and sophomores Abby Feltner, Camille Edwards, and Wernecke. After a second round of talent, evening and casual wear Spear-man announced the five finalists who were Livingston, Wernecke, Smartt, who played “Piano Fanta-sy”, Mayfield, who sang “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret,” and Feltner, who sang the Beatles’ “Black Bird.” Following that, the girls had a short interview portion with Spearman in which he asked each of them about her individual passion and later dismissed them offstage. They reappeared along with all the other 22 contestants, who were all dressed in their evening gowns, and anxiously waited for Spearman to announce the runners-up. Smartt was fourth runner-up, followed by Livingston, May-field, and Feltner. Not only did

Wernecke make pageant history as the first sophomore to ever become Miss Starr’s Mill, Feltner also made history as the first sophomore to ever be named first runner-up. “It was unreal,” Wernecke said. “When he announced Micole as the second runner-up, Abby and I looked at each other and were like, what? We’re sophomores and we‘re going to be the first runner-up and winner?” Freshman Helena Resler was voted Miss Photogenic and Scott was voted Miss Congeniality. The award for Best Interview went to senior Mariah Smith, and the award for the Best Leadership Essay went to Wernecke for $500. Junior Marianna Pitts, who also won Best Talent out of the non-finalists for her ballet on point, was awarded the Zach Stutts Thespian Performing Scholarship Award for $500. As for the scholarship money, Wernecke will receive $2,000, Felt-ner will receive $1,500, Mayfield $1,000, Livingston $600, and Smartt $400.

In addition to winning awards and scholarships, some of the girls believe they walked away with much more. Pageant stage manager Ethan Gallagher, who was amidst all the action and backstage drama, said he noticed a change in the girl’s view of themselves. “There’s definitely a new sense of confidence that every girl gets to leave the pageant with,” he said. In fact, a few girls said that as their level of confidence improved each night, they learned a lot about their inner persona. “It’s interesting to see from the first rehearsal to the night of the pageant how a lot of girls really come out of their shells,” Spear-man said. Along with their new sense of self, many of the contes-tants said they have made several new friends. “Participating in the pageant really gets every girl out of her comfort zone,” Smartt said. “Also, they get to meet a lot of sweet girls they would never have met any other way.”

1st Runner Up- Sophomore Abby Feltner sings “Black Bird” by the Beatles.

2nd Runner Up- Senior Micole Mayfield sings “ Maybe This Time” from Cabaret.

3rd Runner Up- Senior Rebekah Livingston sings Barbara Streistand’s “ My Man” from Funny Girl.

4th Runner Up-Junior Michelle Smartt plays “Piano Fantasy” by Aaron Copland.

Miss Congeniality- Senior Olivia Scott sings “Titanium” by Sia and David Guetta.

On the final night of the pageant, sophomore Abby Feltner (right) gives sophomore Emma Wernecke’s hand a squeeze as David Spearman announces her as first runner-up and Wernecke as Miss Starr’s Mill 2013. Karen Mizell/Special

Victoria Alvarez ’16Staff Writer

Still in a state of disbelief, sophomore Emma Wernecke said she awoke the morning after the twelfth annual Miss Starr’s Mill Pageant to the sight of a sparkly tiara on her dresser and knew the last three nights were not a dream. “Seeing it sitting there every day, it’s like wow. It makes me feel like a princess,” Wernecke said. Although it’s been about a month since the pageant, she said everything is still sinking in. Starting on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m.,in the Willie Duke Auditorium,Wernecke, along with 26 other contestants com-peted in a three-day pageant for the ultimate title. In the end, however, Wer-necke reigned supreme and be-came the first sophomore to ever be crowned Miss Starr’s Mill. Wernecke joined the pageant to showcase her dancing. She has been dancing since she was two, after her mother, who spot-ted her dancing up and down the aisles at her cousin’s dance recital, signed her up for lessons. “I’ve had the dancing bug ever since,” Wernecke said. She has performed at competition dances and national summer competitions and currently danc-

es for the senior company at the Georgia Acad-emy of Dance. She dazzled the audience with her

lyrical dance to Michael Gun-gor’s “Beautiful Things”, cho-reographed by the GAD studio’s choreographer Megan Johnson.

Pouring out intense emotions, Wernecke gracefully glided across the stage and seemed to hypnotize the audience with every leap and bound. Pageant director and emcee David Spearman and former Miss Starr’s Mill 2012 Lauren Roland guided the audience through three nights of glitz, dazzling beauty, remarkable tal-ent, and fierce competition. Many of those associated with the pageant considered this to be the most competitive year yet because of the exceptional talent of the individual contestants. With singing, piano playing, karate, sign language dances, tap dancing, ballet, monologues, drawing and more, the audience was mesmerized by each girl’s unique talent. The girls were scored based on their talent, evening wear, casual wear and interview by a panel of three judges. Each contestant displayed poise, beauty, and grace as she modeled her stylish outfits. Backstage however, was a dif-ferent story. With quick changes, hair, makeup, and everything else from warming up their voices for their solos to stretch-ing for their dance routines, it was chaotic. “Backstage was crazy,” senior Rebekah Livingston said. “There were a ton of poofy dresses, people screaming for bobby pins, mascara, and fashion tape,” said Livingston, who sang “My Man” from “Funny Girl.” She shared her special reason for joining the pageant. “My friend Sarah Curry and I promised each other freshman year that we would do it before we graduated,” she said. After two nights of intense competition, the pageant reached its finale on Saturday, Jan.12, when the 27 contestants were narrowed down to the top 10 finalists. Making the cut were