Baseball hats, visors, gowns, short dresses and even slacks were worn by the women seeking to be the 2016 Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival Queen of Snows at the Senior Princess Fashion Show.
The 22 women decided on their outfits for the 7 p.m. event held at the former Pottsville Club in the city. They each told a little about themselves and were asked questions by master of ceremonies Becky Deatrich Devlin, a former Winter Carnival Queen of Snows.
A panel of 10 judges scored the women on their appearance, poise, personality and voice projection. Cost to attend the event was $5. Deatrich Devlin announced each contestant by name and described their attire. Lindsay Hand, she said, was wearing a red dress after her favorite flavor of ice at Rita’s Italian Ice, “Swedish Fish,” where she works as a manager.
Kelly Marie Kalovcak wore her Army Dress Service Uniform. She is in the medical detachment unit at Fort Indiantown Gap. Maria Naradko sported a baseball hat, jeans, an olive green jacket and Yuengling shirt while carrying a camera.
Deatrich Devlin said “there is nothing better than taking a little piece of your hometown with you wherever you go,” in describing Naradko’s attire. Jessica Zurat wore a blue THON hat, red shirt, blue tutu, black exercise pants, and multi-colored sneakers. Rebecca Paroby also sported something unique, a shirt that said “NERDS ... and proud of it!”
To be sure, contestants also wore the traditional attire. Emma Kleckner wore a little black dress adorned with pearl earrings and a necklace and high heels. Gabrielle Nabholz wore a light blue gown and carried a wand in the shape of a snowflake.
For some, the show was more than just a chance to shine and wear nice clothes.
Laykin Hughes said the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival is “more than just a pageant. It’s a way to network.”
She was asked who she admired and why. She said the current Queen of Snows, Kelci Killian.
“She kind of showed that we can do anything with this,” she said.
Kalovcak was asked how she would feel if she won the Queen of Snows. She would feel excited, she said. The pageant is something different for her as it’s “a chance to get dressed up,” she said,
Kelsie Lynn, a 2015 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, was asked what her favorite thing about the county is. She said the rich history. She described the Winter Carnival as a place where the young women really get to know each other.“Do you feel the government would benefit from having a female president? “ Deatrich Devlin asked.
Lynn said “it would definitely be cool.”
She said young women need someone to look up to and that all the other presidents were men.
She decided to get involved in the event because she lived in the county her entire life and wanted to experience what the event has to offer.
“It’s great. I’ve met so many new friends,” she said.