 CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT - Samantha Keiser, 2006 first runner-up, crowns Kelsey Ruch as the 2007 Milton Harvest Festival Princess. Photo by Kevin Mertz/Standard Journal |
Published in the Standard-Journal on Monday, September 10, 2007
By Kevin Mertz. Reprinted with Permission
MILTON - Kelsey Ruch took center stage as she was crowned the 2007 Milton Harvest Festival Princess Saturday evening in the Milton Area High School auditorium.
Immediately after receiving the crown, she was surrounded on stage by well-wishers who wanted to congratulate her and take her photo.
"This is exciting and overwhelming," Ruch said after receiving the crown.
She added she's looking forward to all the festivities she will be able to take part in as princess.
Ruch, who was sponsored by American Legion Post 71, also reflected on the importance of the Harvest Festival in her life.
"It's been a tradition in my family for 18 years," she said. "I'm proud to have been a part of it."
Ruch said she's enjoyed getting to know each of this year's princess candidates.
"And my advisor Becky Bollinger was amazing," she added.
Bollinger also spoke highly of Ruch.
"Kelsey is very energetic and fun-loving," she said. "She enjoyed the pageant. She was in it to have a good time and I think that showed."
Bollinger is Ruch's English teacher and was honored when Ruch asked her to serve as her advisor. Bollinger also said this is the first year she's been an advisor to one of the princess candidates.
"It's been a blast," Bollinger said of her experience.
 LOCAL ROYALTY - The 2007 Milton Harvest Festival princess candidates posed for photos immediately following Saturday evening's pageant in the Milton Area High School auditorium. Princess Kelsey Ruch is seated at center stage. First runner-up Jeri Anderson stands to her left with finalist Natalie Messinger to the left of Anderson. Finalists Olivia Rohrer and Vanessa Foster are to the right of Ruch. Photo by Kevin Mertz/Standard Journal |
As part of her speech, Ruch shared one of her earliest Harvest Festival memories, which came when she was 6 years old.
"I was outraged when my dog did not win the pet parade," Ruch said.
She said her mother, Beth, cheered her up afterward by taking her to the festivities taking place that day in Milton.
"It still makes me smile today when the Harvest Festival makes the town smell like French fries and funnel cakes," Ruch said.
She also spoke on the importance of the American Legion and the community.
"As I take my place in the community, I remember I have a responsibility to myself, to my family and my community as a whole," Ruch said.
Ruch is a senior at Milton Area High School and is involved in field hockey, concert choir, student council and church activities. She works as a waitress at Country Cupboard, Lewisburg.
Following the second leg of the pageant, which featured the girls modeling evening gowns, the field of candidates was narrowed to five finalists: Ruch, Jeri Anderson, Vanessa Foster, Natalie Messinger and Olivia Rohrer.
Each of the five girls were then asked to describe what they think the organization TIME (The Improved Milton Experience) or any organization can do to build a better Milton.
Anderson was named first runner-up and will receive a scholarship, compliments of the Shirley Loreman family. As princess, Ruch will receive a scholarship compliments of Milton Savings Bank.
Each contestant also received a charm, compliments of Fedder's Jewelers.
Another pageant is on tap tonight in Milton. The Little Miss/Junior Miss pageant will be held at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
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