Brianna Ballinger captured the 2012 Miss Teen Popcorn title Saturday evening in festivities at River Valley High School. Ballinger also seized the top honors in the Anything Popcorn category, as well as part of a three-way tie for the top Talent award. This effort earned her two $50 awards sponsored Carol and Gene Ault and JoAnne Cook respectively.
Visibly shaking, the newly crowned Ballinger said, “I’m astonished … that’s all I can think of. I’ve been out of the pageant thing for three or four years, so I really didn’t expect to do anything like win.” Ballinger was Miss Teeny Pop 2008. As Miss Teen Popcorn, Ballinger received a $200 scholarship sponsored by Pat & Eric Anthony, as well as an extensive prize package.
A 13-year old student attending Pleasant High School, Ballinger gave a vocal presentation of “Alexander’s Rag Time Band” as her talent, as well as performing an acrobatic routine to “Hot Poppin’ Popcorn” for Anything Popcorn. .”
In her new capacity, Ballinger 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.
Ballinger is the daughter of Ryan and Heidi Ballinger of Marion.
Nabbing First Runner Up and a $100 scholarship sponsored by the previous Miss Teen Popcorns was Sarah Cooper. She also won the $50 Evening Wear award sponsored by Julie Kessler. The River Valley High School student performed a vocal selection of “Just Dance” for her talent. She is the 16-year-old daughter of Jill and Steve Cooper of Marion.
Hanah Reif took Second Runner-up honors and a $100 scholarship sponsored by Primrose Retirement Communities. The 13 year-old River Valley Middle School student performed a vocal rendition of “Home” as her talent offering which earned her a part in the three-way Talent Award tie. She is the daughter of Toby and Angela Reif of Marion.
Third Runner Up and winner of a $100 scholarship sponsored by Tim Mooney is Jaycee Bentley, a 13-year-old Grant Middle School student. She is the daughter of Tim and Sabrina Bentley of Marion and sang “Crazy” as her talent.
Named Fourth Runner Up, Elizabeth Corwin, is a 15-year-old student at Northmor High School and the winner of a $100 scholarship sponsored by Larry and Nancy Eblin. The daughter of Robert and Jennyfer Corwin of Galion, she gave a vocal presentation of “At Last” as her talent which earned her part of the three-way time for Talent and a $50 award sponsored by JoAnne Cook. Corwin is also garnered one of two $50 Community Service awards sponsored by Primrose Retirement Communities.
All four runner’s up received generous prize packages in addition to their cash awards. All participants received participation gifts.
Other award winners were:
- The Popcorn Spirit award, a $50 award was sponsored by Jane Wyatt, went to Hunter Boyce. The daughter of Casey Stevens of Delaware gave a vocal presentation as her talent. She is a 15-year-old Delaware Area Career Center student.
- The second $50 Community Service Award sponsored by Jane Wyatt went to 15-year-old Ranissa Harrison. The daughter of Joe and Tammy Harrison of Harpster, she attends ECOT and gave a vocal presentation as her talent.
- A Commitment to Excel Award of $50 sponsored by ServiceMaster went to Kimberly Smith.
- Although having no bearing on the Miss Teen results, Smith also earned the Photogenic Award of a Gift Basket from Primrose Retirement Communities.
Also competing were:
- Jennifer Moodie, the 13-year-old daughter of Larry and Kristi Moodie of Marion. She performed ballet en pointe as her talent, and attends Grant Middle School.
- Eighteen-year-old Whitney Perry has attended both Elgin and Harding High Schools. She performed an Irish Dance and is the daughter of Tim & Sandy Jones of LaRue.
- River Valley High School student Annslea Schaber is the 14-year-old daughter of Chris and Josette Schaber of New Bloomington. She performed a clog as her talent.
- Kaylee Wallace gave a vocal presentation for her talent. She is the 13-year-old daughter of Jennifer Martin of Marion and Tolbia Wallace, and attends Grant Middle School.
- Performing tap as her talent, Aundrea Jordan is the 13-year-old daughter of Brian and Angela Jordan of Marion. She attends Grant Middle School.
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. These young women come away winners just by having the courage to get up on that stage and participate.”
Set for September 6, 7, and 8, 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.
Photos:
Top photo – Newly named Miss Teen Popcorn 2012 Brianna Ballinger is crowned by Miss Teen Popcorn 2011 Grace Blackford. Amanda Lee, Miss Teen Popcorn 2008, assists.
Bottom photo – The 2012 Marion Popcorn Festival Teen Court is (left to right): 3rd Runner Up Jaycee Bentley, 1st Runner Up Sarah Cooper, Miss Teen Popcorn 2012 Brianna Ballinger, 2nd Runner Up Hanah Reif, 4th Runner Up Elizabeth Corwin.
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