Vaughn Crowned 2013 Miss Teen Popcorn

Moira Vaughn captured the 2013 Miss Teen Popcorn title Saturday evening in festivities at River Valley High School.

“I can’t believe it,” said the newly crowned Vaughn.  “This was my first year … I only got interested because my wonderful friend Hanah Reiff was on the court last year and took me with her to the Festival … and she’s on the court this year … I’m so happy.”

At the 2012 Festival is also where Vaughn said she developed a crush on Festival host and NBC weatherman Bob Nunnally and used that as the basis for her “Anything Popcorn” routine.

As Miss Teen Popcorn, Vaughn received a $200 scholarship sponsored by Pat & Eric Anthony of Anthony Farms, a crown sponsored by Joanne Cook’s School of Dance, as well as an extensive prize package.

Vaughn also seized the top honors in the Talent category with her rendition of “On My Own”.  This effort earned her a $50 award sponsored by JoAnne Cook’s School of Dance.  A 17-year old student attending River Valley High School, Vaughn is the daughter of Joanne Anderson of Tennessee and Barbara Kaelber of Cardington.

In her new capacity, Vaughn will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade and performing from the main stage.  She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year.

Nabbing First Runner Up and a $100 scholarship was Hanah Reiff.  She also won the $50 Evening Wear award sponsored by Julie Kessler, as well as a $50 Commitment to Excel award sponsored by Varsity Towing.  The River Valley High School student performed a vocal selection for her talent.  She is the 14-year-old daughter of Toby and Angela Reiff of Marion.

Nadalee Smith took Second Runner-up honors and a $100 scholarship. The 18 year-old Pleasant High School student also won the $50 “Anything Popcorn” award sponsored by Carol and Gene Ault’s Dance Factory with her adaptation of Twelve Days of Popcorn.  The daughter of Autumn Husted and Gerald Smith of Marion performed a lyrical dance as her talent offering.

Third Runner Up and winner of a $100 scholarship is Elizabeth Corwin, is a 16-year-old student at Northmor High School.  She also earned a $50 Community Service Award sponsored by the Marion Area Counseling Center.  The daughter of Robert and Jennifer Corwin of Galion gave a vocal presentation as her talent.

Named Fourth Runner Up and the winner of a $100 scholarship was Alexis Ritter.  The daughter of James and Lorri Ritter of Caledonia, Ritter clogged for her talent.  The 13-year-old attends River Valley Middle School.

All four runner ups received generous prize packages in addition to their cash awards which were sponsored by Tim Mooney’s The Muffler Center, Marion Area Counseling Center, Circle T Logistics, Edison Billiard, and Shear Perfection Styling Salon.  All participants received participation gifts sponsored by Dottie Ann’s, Primrose Retirement Communities, Ashley Furniture, Custom Creations, Nicholls Furniture, and Common Two Properties.

Other award winners were:

• The Popcorn Spirit award, a $50 award that went to Hunter Boyce.  The daughter of Casey Stevens of Delaware gave a vocal presentation as her talent.  She is a 16-year-old Delaware Hayes High School student.
• The second $50 Community Service Award sponsored the Marion Area Counseling Center went to 15-year-old Annslea Schaber.  The River Valley High School student performed a lyrical dance and is the daughter of Chris & Josette Schaber of New Bloomington.
• The second $50 Commitment to Excel Award sponsored Vita Lawn went to Harding High School student Aundrea Jordan.  Performing Irish hard shoe as her talent, Jordan is the 14-year-old daughter of Brian and Angela Jordan of Marion.
• Kimberly Smith was the winner of a gift basket from Studio 309 for capturing the Photogenic Award, a separate competition of which the results have no bearing on the Miss Teen Popcorn outcome.  Smith is the 15-year-old daughter of Angela Baer of Caledonia and Kraig and Heather Smith of Marion.  The River Valley High School student performed a hip hop/cheer dance.

Also competing were:

• Faith Colegrove performed an energetic dance and tumbling routine.  The 13-year-old River Valley Middle School student is the daughter of Paul and Melissa Hines of Marion and Tim and Sarah Colegrove of Mt. Gilead.
• Kaylee Wallace is the 14-year-old daughter of Jennifer Martin and Tolbia Wallace of Marion.  The Harding High School student performed a vocal selection for her talent.
• Jennifer Moodie is the 13-year-old daughter of Larry and Christi Moodie of Marion.  She gave a vocal rendition as her talent, and attends Harding High School
• Tylar Saylor played her clarinet for the talent portion.  She is a 15-year-old Ridgedale High School student and the daughter of Heather and George Blair of Morral and Shanna Saylor of Caledonia.
• Ranissa Harrison is the daughter of Joe and Tammy Harrison of Harpster.  She attends ECOT and gave a vocal presentation as her talent.
• Mackenzie Warner is a River Valley Middle School student.  The 13-year-old daughter of Mark and Jessica Warner of Marion gave a vocal presentation.

Kay Gwinner, director of the Miss Teen Popcorn program, said, “We’ve always been pleased with the wonderful teens we are privileged to work with, and they would all have represented the Festival well … even the judges commented on how talented these teens are and they hoped the girls didn’t become discouraged if they didn’t win.  We know these young women come away winners just by having the courage to get up on that stage and participate.”

Set for September 5, 6, and 7, the Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world with an annual attendance estimated in excess of 250,000 over the three-day festival.

For more information on all Festival events, visit the web site at www.popcornfestival.com or call 740/387-FEST.  The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.