Miss Teen Popcorn court selected in festivities Saturday night at River Valley High School are (l – r): Karington Reed, Annslea Schaber, Sydney Randal, Miss Teen Popcorn 2015 Jennifer Moodie, 1st Runner Up Alexis Ritter, Jaden Smith, and Kaylee Wallace.
Jennifer Moodie captured the 2015 Miss Teen Popcorn title Saturday evening in festivities at River Valley High School.
“I was shocked,” said the newly crowned Moodie. “I thought they had read the wrong number, so it really caught me off guard. Right now I’m pretty much speechless.”
In her new capacity, Moodie will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Popcorn Parade and performing from the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year.
For winning, Moodie received a $200 scholarship award sponsored by Professional Park & Community View Apartments, Coach book bag, wallet and change purse donated by Karen Shaffer, a crown, crown necklace, pin, flowers, and an extensive prize package.
Moodie also captured the $50 Talent Award sponsored by Professional Park & Community View Apartments for her rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. In addition, she took home the Essay Award of $50 donated by Jane Wyatt and a necklace from Stormy Cushing, and one of two $50 Community Service Awards sponsored by Dr. Heather Columber Scowden and Dr. David Scowden. The 16-year-old Marion Harding student is the daughter of Kristi and Larry Moodie of Marion.
Nabbing First Runner Up was Alexis Ritter. She also took home the Anything Popcorn Award of $50 sponsored by Carol & Gene Ault; the Eveningwear Award of $50 from Julie Kessler, as well as the $50 Commitment to Excellence award sponsored by Dr. Heather Columber Scowden & Dr. David Scowden. The 15-year-old River Valley student performed a clog for her talent. She is the daughter of James and Lorri Ritter of Caledonia.
Also on the court are:
Karington Reed, the 14-year-old daughter of Vince and Kristin Reed of Marion. She also won the Photogenic Award of a gift basked donated by Studio 309. The Marion Harding student performed a vocal selection for her talent.
Sydney Randall won the second of two $50 Community Service Awards sponsored by Dr. Heather Columber Scowden and Dr. David Scowden. The 16-year-old Pleasant High School offered a tap routine as her talent, and is the daughter of Brooks and Melissa Randall of Marion.
Jaden Smith performed a lyrical dance as her talent. The Grant Middle School student is the 13-year-old daughter of Johnathan & Tiffany Lechleitner of Marion.
Annslea Schaber, a 17-year-old River Valley/Tri-Rivers Career Center student, did a clog as her talent presentation. She is the daughter of Chris and Josette Schaber of New Bloomington.
Kaylee Wallace earned the $50 Popcorn Spirit award sponsored by Peacock Water and Dennis and Carla Kisner. The daughter of Jennifer Martin and Tolbia Wallace of Marion gave a vocal presentation as her talent. She is a 16-year-old Harding High School student.
The entire court received $100 scholarship awards which were sponsored by Tim Mooney, Professional Park and Community View Apartments, and Anthony Farms, Pat and Eric Anthony. All contestants were given a photo session at Takes 2 Studio, Brandy Gatrell; a Mary Kay bag donated by Shirley McAlister, Shirley’s Beauty Shop; and Carol Ault, as well as generous prize packages.
Overall event sponsors were: Primrose Retirement Communities; bluefusion entertainment; Realty Ohio, Julie Kessler, Realty Ohio & Fifty Shades of Beautiful; Blue Streak Wash-N-Fill; Ryans; Marion Area Counseling Center; Shear Perfection Styling Salon; Ashley Furniture; The Dance Factory; Marion’s Hometown Talent; Blessed Photography; Jack’s Retail Shop; Kitchen in the Kountry; K-9 Kuts & Training; Kroger; Vance Mobile Home Community; and Carroll’s Jewelers.
Participants must be aged 13 through a senior in high school. Each contestant competed in evening wear, an on-stage question, talent, and the anything popcorn category.
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 all represent the Festival well. We know these young women come away winners just by having the courage to get up on that stage and participate.”
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. Main stage entertainment for 2015 includes Straight On: Heart Tribute Band on Thursday, September 10; country star Rodney Atkins on Friday, September 11, and rock band Warrant on Saturday, September 12. 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.
Other events include the Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 bike tour, the Community Showcase Stage, the Hometown Talent Stage, the Poppin’ Party Stage, and more.
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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