A Schuylkill Haven woman claimed the 2016 Queen of the Snows title at the 49th edition of the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival on Saturday during an event also honoring the city’s protectors.
Meghan Devlin won the crown from among a field of 22 women during the Senior Princess Coronation Pageant at Pottsville Area High School’s Robert W. Wachter Auditorium.
“I wanted to have as much fun as possible, and I really wasn’t thinking about winning,” Devlin, 22, said following her coronation. “They do such a great job here making sure that you’re prepared and confident.”
Meanwhile, her father and mother, Michael and Judith Devlin, and her grandmother, Barbara Devlin, Schuylkill Haven, waited to congratulate her as well-wishers greeted her and her court on stage.
“I can’t wait to give her a hug,” her father said.
The rest of the 2016 court included first runner-up, Kelly Marie Kalovcak, Primrose; second runner-up, Jessica Zurat, Schuylkill Haven; third runner-up, Gabrielle Nabholz, Pottsville; fourth runner-up, Alyssa Miller, Schuylkill Haven; and fifth runner-up, Lindsay Hand, Saint Clair.
Ashley Farr, Schuylkill Haven, was named Miss Congeniality. Farr, and Lauren I. Brilla, Pottsville, were also among the top eight finalists.
Devlin joins Snowdrop Princess Elena Holden, Pottsville, and Snowflake Princess Rachael Cataldo, Ashland, to make up the 2016 Winter Carnival royalty.
Henry H. Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald, served as master of ceremonies.
The eight finalists were each asked the same question, relating to this year’s country theme. Nyce asked if the contestants were able to attend the County Music Awards, who would be seated in the audience with them.
Senior princesses offered a variety of responses, with most saying they’d take their families, fellow carnival contestants or even their boss. Devlin said she’d take her parents because they’ve been such a great support system.
Devlin is a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School and Kutztown University with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She’s a sales associate and special projects manager at T-102 Radio Studios, and was sponsored by Hess Catering.
The Pottsville Police Department was recognized as the Distinguished Citizen or Organization of the Year.
John Boris introduced the award recipient, noting in the community there’s an organization that makes a large impact on improving the quality of life for people of all ages. The Pottsville Police Department has 23 full-time officers and handles thousands of incidents each year, he said.
“Our community is safe, secure and well-protected,” Boris said, as Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky, Capt. Steve Guers and Capt. John Morrow were called up on stage to receive recognition on behalf of the department.
“This is truly a humbling experience and totally unexpected,” Wojciechowsky said. He said the officers do care about the community.
“I thank you for your appreciation and ask you to continue it in the future,” Wojciechowsky said.
The crowd offered a standing ovation.
Billie Payne, Winter Carnival president and pageant committee chairwoman, welcomed the crowd to the event earlier in the evening, thanking them for their continued support.
“The people of Schuylkill County have been awesome. I am truly, truly grateful to all of you,” she said.
Before ending her reign, 2015 Queen Kelci Killian took time to thank her family, her court, sponsors, event coordinators and her students at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School during a year she called “magical.” She also asked the audience to recognize Payne. The audience gave her a standing ovation.
Killian’s advice to the 2016 queen was to realize there are never too many pictures, to smile as much as possible and to remind your family that you are “the queen.”
She thanked Dee Boris, chairwoman of the Princess Committee, for her guidance and preparation.
Judging Saturday’s event were Pat Kane, Attorney Richard Thornburg, Dr. Melissa Burke, Dr. Elizabeth Robison, Kelly Malone, Helen Coyle, Attorney Karen Noon, Attorney Eric Prock, Kate Delenick and state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125.
The pageant featured the contestants in a dance routine coordinating with this year’s Winter Carnival theme, “A Little Taste of Country.” They danced a choreographed number to “Boot Scoot Boogie.”
L.A. Dance Theatre Inc., Saint Clair, and T.J. Fitzpatrick offered the evening’s entertainment, which included a tribute to Broadway, and country selections, respectively. Following the pageant, the women celebrated at the Queen’s Ball at St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose.
For more information, visit the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival Facebook page.