2013 Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Jennifer St. John is crowned by Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2012 Danielle Davis.
Jennifer St. John captured the title of Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2013 Saturday evening, August 3, during competition at Harding High School.
By winning the Miss Marion Popcorn Festival title, St. John earned a $1,000 scholarship, as well as the Festival crown, banner, and a prize package.
Speechless at first, St. John gathered her thoughts and said, “I was truly blessed to have represented Marion as Miss Teen Popcorn, and I’m now so excited to have the opportunity to do the same as Miss Marion Popcorn Festival. ”
St. John also won the Academic/Community Service Award, the Steve Somerlot Interview Award, and the Popcorn-wear Award with her popcorn adorned Little Red Riding Hood ensemble. Accompanying herself on keyboard, St. John performed a vocal rendition of Clarity.
The daughter of William and Jocelyn St. John of Marion, St. John is a graduate of Pleasant High School and is currently studying nursing at the University of Cincinnati.
As Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2013, St. John will reign over all Festival activities; including being highlighted in the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade and performing from the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year.
2013 Miss Marion Popcorn Festival First Runner-up Kari Boles as the Queen of Hearts for her popcorn wear.
First runner-up honors and a $400 scholarship went to Kari Boles, who captured both the Evening Gown Award and Talent Award with an energetic tap routine to “I’ve Got Rhythm”. The daughter of Shannon and Bryan Boles of New Bloomington, she is an Elgin High School graduate currently enrolled at Marion Technical College majoring in business management.
Anna Foss took home a $300 scholarship and second runner up honors. She also netted the Photogenic and People’s Choice Awards. Foss performed an Irish Dance to “Smooth Criminal”. The Ridgedale High School graduate is majoring in speech and hearing science at The Ohio State University at Marion, and is the daughter of Daren and Peggy Neuenschwander of Marion and Beau Foss of Hilliard.
Third runner-up and receiving a $200 scholarship was Courtney Hamilton who presented her vocal rendition of “They Just Keep Moving the Line”. The daughter of Justin and Nicole Hamilton of Delaware, Hamilton is a graduate of R. B. Hayes High School and is attending The Ohio State University at Marion majoring in education.
Angelica Dye, receiving a $100 scholarship as fourth runner-up, performed an Irish Dance to the theme from Green Bushes. The daughter of Clovis Dye of Marion, the River Valley High School graduate is studying elementary education at The Ohio State University at Marion.
Also participating was Jonikka Shepherd who won the Popcorn Spirit Award. Shepherd is a graduate of River Valley High School and attends The Ohio State University at Marion majoring in early childhood education. She is the daughter of Melinda and Barry Shepherd.
Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2013 and court (l to r): Courtney Hamilton, 3rd runner-up, Kari Boles, 1st runner-up, Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Jennifer St. John, 2nd runner-up Anna Foss, and 4th runner-up Angelica Dye.
The scholarships and awards for the contestants were sponsored by The Ohio State University-Marion, Marion Community Credit Union, Richwood Bank, Bluefusion Entertainment, Kirby Auto Parts, Preferred Popcorn, The Family of Steve Somerlot, Carol Ault’s Dance Factory, Goldrush Jewelers, Hemmerlys, Mauk Chiropractic, and Dr. Bob Singh.
Contestants were scored by two separate panels of judges. The first panel judged the afternoon Interview session worth 30%; and the second graded the evening competition which included 30% for Talent, 10% for Popcorn Wear, 20% for Evening Wear, and 10% for the On-Stage Interview.
Scholarship director Lynnell Jamison expressed her delight in the excellence of the contestants. “This was again a tough competition among yet another great group of young women,” said Jamison. “All who competed are exceptional young women and were wonderful to work with … all would have made great queens.”
Main stage entertainment for 2013 includes WANTED: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band on Thursday, September 5; iconic group The Village People on Friday, September 6, and country artist Jo Dee Messina on Saturday, September 7. All performances on the Festival’s main stage begin at 8:30 p.m. and are free of charge. A limited number of Kernel sponsorship seats are available for any of the main stage performances by calling 740-383-2076.
For more information on the full slate of activities, visit www.popcornfestival.com or call 740-387-FEST. The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.
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