(l – r) 3rd Runner-Up Sydney Randall, 1st Runner-Up Hayley Stiverson, Miss Teen Popcorn 2016 Alexis Klaiber, 2nd Runner-Up Alexis Ritter, and 4th Runner-Up Sarah Perkins.
Alexis Klaiber captured the 2016 Miss Teen Popcorn title Saturday evening in festivities at River Valley High School.
“I thought I was going to cry,” said the newly crowned Klaiber. “Then I thought ‘I can’t believe I threw all this together in two weeks and I won!’” Klaiber continued, “I’m so looking forward to the parade, being on the main stage … wow, I can’t quite think right now.”
In her new capacity, Klaiber will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Popcorn Parade and on the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year.
For winning, Klaiber also received a $150 scholarship award sponsored by Marion Community Credit Union, portrait package from BMG Photography, $50 Carrolls Jewelers gift card, a crown, crown necklace, pin, flowers, and an extensive prize package.
Klaiber also captured the $50 Formalwear Award sponsored by the Muffler Center. She is the 16-year-old daughter of Kyle Klaiber and Amanda Klaiber-Lindsay. She will be in the 11th grade at Pleasant High School, and danced to the song, “People Help the People”.
Nabbing First Runner Up was Hayley Stiverson who received a $100 scholarship from Main Squeeze Juices & Smoothies, $50 Scholarship from the Dance Factory, Carol & Gene Ault, a $50 Carrolls Jewelers gift card, and a gift certificate to Studio 309. Stiverson, the 16-year-old-daughter of Jim and Cindy Stiverson, also took home the $50 Popcorn Wear Award from Jane Wyatt with her depiction of a mime promoting the Marion Popcorn Festival. Her talent was a vocal presentation of “Temporary Home”. She will be a junior at Pleasant High School/Tri-Rivers Career Center.
Alexis Ritter snared the Second Runner-Up position which included a $100 scholarship from Studio 309, a $50 Carrolls Jewelers gift card and a gift certificate to Shapers Salon. The 16-year-old River Valley student performed a clog with a Canadian flair to “What Was I Thinking?” She is the daughter of James and Lorri Ritter, and will be entering the 11th grade at River Valley High School.
Taking Third Runner-Up was Sydney Randall. She received a $50 scholarship from Julie Kessler, a $25 scholarship from Shirleys Beauty, a portrait package from BMG Photography, and a gift certificate to Inspirations Nail Salon. Randal’s tap dance to “Feel Again” also won her the $50 Talent Award sponsored by Anthony Farms. The 17-year-old Pleasant High School senior also won the Photogenic Award which – although it has no bearing on the results of the overall completion – garnered Randal a deluxe session and framed 16 x 20 custom portrait from Terrie’s Photography. She is the daughter of Brooks and Melissa Randal.
Fourth Runner-Up was Sarah Perkins who received a $50 scholarship from Anthony Farms, a $50 scholarship from the Dance Factory, Carol & Gene Ault, $50 Carrolls Jewelers gift card, and a gift certificate to Perfect Image with Katie Kennedy. Perkins also took home the $50 Interview Award from Lu Chivington, the $50 Commitment to Excellence Award from Anthony Farms, and a $50 Essay Award sponsored by Stormy Cushing. Perkins, the 14-year-old daughter of Kevin and Wendy Perkins, will be a freshman at North Union High School. She sang “Someone to Watch Over Me” as her talent.
All finalists also received flowers from Marion Flower Shop and a gift bag from Diane Morgan, Avon Representative. Non-finalists received gift bags sponsored by Anthony Farms, Muffler Center, Jane Wyatt, Lu Chivington, and Dr. Heather Columber. They were:
Faith Schleitler performed a lyrical dance to “Lost Boy”. She is the 13-year-old daughter of Jennifer Mogle and will be in the 8th grade at Grant Middle School.
Jaden Smith is the 14-year-old daughter of Jonathan & Tiffany Lechleitner. The Harding High School freshman sang “My Party Dress”.
Kaylee Wallace is a 17-year-old Harding High School senior. The daughter of Jennifer Martin and Tolbia Wallace sang “I Will Always Love You” as her talent.
Melannie Emigh performed a song and dance routine to “I Want to Go to Hollywood.” She will be a freshman at River Valley High School, and is the 14-year-old daughter of Kevin and Kimberly Emigh.
Overall event sponsors were: bluefusion entertainment; Blue Streak Wash-N-Fill; Nathan’s Barbershop, Donatos; Chipotle; Applebee’s; Brookside Pool; Kantzer Veterinary Clinic; DeLille; and Rosa & Rocco’s.
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.
Linda Candel, director of the Miss Teen Popcorn program, said, “I was pleased with these great teens, and I believe they all would have represented the Festival well. Kay Gwinner and Carol Ault always say that these young women come away winners just by having the courage to get up on that stage and participate … I would definitely have to agree.”
The 2016 dates of the Marion Popcorn Festival are September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Main stage entertainment includes Thursday, September 8’s Bike Nite featuring Rock Brigade – The Def Leppard Experience at 8:30 p.m., country star Kellie Pickler on Friday, September 9, and heavy metal/rock band Skid Row set for Saturday, September 10. All headline performances begin at 8:30 p.m. are free of charge to Festival attendees. A limited number of Kernel sponsorship seats are available for any of the main stage performances by calling 740-387-FEST.
Other events include Terry Lee Goffee, The “Ultimate” Johnny Cash Tribute, at the historic Marion Palace Theatre at 2:00 p.m. on September 8, the Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run/walk, Popcorn 100 bike tour, Community Showcase stage, Marion’s Hometown Talent stage, Poppin’ Party stage, and much more.
For more information, visit www.popcornfestival.com, “Like” The Marion Popcorn Festival on Facebook, or call 740-387-FEST. The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.
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