It rained in Waynesburg today at 5:26 am. making it 111 years out of 135 years it has rained on July 29th!
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Rain Day Festival |
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2009 Rain Day Pageant
MISS RAIN DAY 2009 CROWNED
Miss Rain Day 2008, Elissa McCracken crowns Miss Rain Day 2009, Emily Block
Emily Block
Emily Block, the 15 year old daughter of Stan and Sandra of Waynesburg won the title of Miss Rain Day at the 31st Anniversary of the pageant. Block was voted Miss Personality by her fellow contestants thus received the Spirit Award sponsored by Pageantry Magazine in addition to top sportswear.
During the talent portion of the competition she played the piano and sang a song she wrote “You’re the Only One I’ll Miss”.
She will be attending Waynesburg Central High School as a junior this fall. She is a member of her high school’s marching band and show choir, the cross country, track and field teams, Italian Club, Youth Alive, SADD, St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church and Youth Group. She is active in her community by lecturing and cantoring at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, volunteering for Relay for Life, tutoring elementary students, and volunteering yearly for “Read Across America”. Her hobbies and other activities include reading, singing and song writing, swimming, running, kayaking and being outdoors.
Block’s honors and achievements include Highest Honors awards in English, Italian, and elementary tutoring, she is a 2-year letterman in track, field and cross country, received the most improved runner award, recognized in “Who’s Who Among America’s Middle School Students for 3 years, has a 4.0 GPA and is a marching band letterman.
Block plans to attend, Alderson-Broaddus College and major in Music Education. Her ambition is to share her love and knowledge of music with younger generations through teaching.
Members of the court were Shelby Block, first runner up, Shannon Morgan, second runner up, Kelcee Headlee, third runner up and Mikayla Sonneborn, fourth runner up. Kayla Coss won the Rain Maker Award, Miss Photogenic went to Shelby Block, the Kelly Smotzer Memorial Award (chosen by the Rain Day Scholarship Committee) and the Remo C. Bertugli Memorial Award (chosen by members of the Bertugli family) went to Christa Ziefel. Shannon Morgan was the top talent winner and Shelby Block won the top evening gown award.
To read the winning essays in PDF format, click the appropriate essay listed below:
"What Rain Day Means To Me" Essay
Remo C. Bertugli Memorial Essay
2009 Rain Day Court
Mikayla Sonneborn - 4th, Shannon Morgan 2nd, Miss Rain Day 2009 Emily Block, Shelby Block -1st, Kelcee Headlee - 3rd Payden Policz, crown bearer is in front row
2009 Rain Day Contestants
Shannon Morgan, Emily Block, Melissa Brewer, Annie Dayich, Shelby Block, Micaela Ruse, Mikayla Sonneborn, Joanna Allen, Taylor Rush, Kelcee Headlee, Kayla Coss, Christa Ziefel
The annual Miss Rain Day Scholarship Pageant sponsored by Rain Day Scholarship, Inc. was held on Sunday, July 26th in the Carmichaels Area High School Auditorium in Carmichaels. According to Jeanine Henry, Event Director, “Rain Day Scholarship Inc, offers local young women the opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem, to make new friends, the opportunity to speak publicly and to participate in group activities while competing for educational savings bonds. The pageant provides an opportunity for these young women to showcase their talents while also preparing for their future education and careers. Many of the former Miss Rain days have gone on to pursue successful careers in their chosen professions.” The pageant awarded $6,600.00 in savings bonds this year.
The contestants, between the ages of 14 and 18, have had a very busy schedule. They attended a kick-off banquet at Waynesburg University, had professional portraits taken by Bruno & Bruno, they were interviewed by Crazy Dougie Wilson at WANB Radio, and they attended a Wild Things Baseball Game at CONSOL Energy Park via First Student transportation. The contestants were also treated to a special dinner-theater trip to Pittsburgh to see “Legally Blonde” courtesy of First Federal Savings & Loan of Greene County and Lewis Limousine. They also assisted with the Greene County Memorial Foundation Golf Outing and the Rain Day 5K Races.
Miss Rain Day 2009, her court and the contestants participated in the Rain Day Festival on July 29th and performed for the festival goers.
Elissa McCracken, Miss Rain Day 2008, is the 17 year old daughter of Jeff and Helen McCracken of Waynesburg. She eloquently guided the 2009 contestants through their quest for the title and crowned Block.
Eleven other young ladies from throughout the County competed with Block in their quest for the Miss Rain Day title and they were:
Christa Ziefel is the 14 year old daughter of David and Cathy Ziefel of Nineveh. Christa will be a freshman at West Greene High School in the fall. She was awarded the Kelly Smotzer Award and the Remo C. Bertugli Memorial Essay Award. She performed a lyrical acrobatic dance to “Conquest of Paradise”.
Kayla Coss is the 17 year old daughter of John and Jenny Coss of Waynesburg. She will be a senior at Waynesburg Central High School in the fall. Kayla received the Rain Maker Award. She performed a jazz dance to “Love You, I Do”.
Kelcee Headlee is the 16 year old daughter of Amy and Derek Broadwater of Waynesburg. Kelcee will be a junior at Waynesburg Central High School in the fall. She was chosen as the Third Runner-Up and sang a vocal selection to “At Last”.
Taylor Rush is the 14 year old daughter of Greg and Samantha Rush of Waynesburg. She will be a sophomore at Waynesburg Central High School this fall. Taylor performed a hip-hop dance to “Jack It Up”.
Joanna Allen is the 14 year old daughter of George and Georgeanne of Waynesburg. Joanna will be a sophomore at Waynesburg Central High School this fall. She performed a lyrical acrobatic dance routine to “Rainy Day”.
Mikayla Sonneborn is the 15 year old daughter of Rick and Marcia Sonneborn of West Finley. Mikayla will be a sophomore this fall at West Greene High School. She was chosen as the Fourth Runner-Up and performed a contemporary jazz dance to “Disturbia”.
Micaela Ruse is the 14 year old daughter of Chad and Rebecca Ruse of Carmichaels. She will be a freshman at Carmichaels Area High School this fall. She performed an acro dance to “Dancing In The Moonlight”.
Shelby Block is the 15 year old daughter of Stan and Sandra of Waynesburg. Shelby will be attending Waynesburg Central High School as a junior this fall. Shelby received the John O’Hara Essay Award, the Miss Photogenic Award, Top Interview and Top Evening Gown Award. She is the first runner up and performed a jazz dance to “Trouble”.
Anne Dayich is the 14 year old daughter of Lou and Holly Dayich of Waynesburg. She will be a freshman at Waynesburg Central High School in the fall. She performed a stylized jazz dance to “Everything Is Coming Up Roses”.
Melissa Brewer is the17 year old daughter of Greg and Corina Brewer of Waynesburg. Melissa will be a senior this fall at Waynesburg Central High School. Melissa performed a performing a Musical Theater Character dance to “Pennies From Heaven”.
Shannon Morgan is the 14 year old daughter of Mark and Sharon Morgan of Waynesburg. Shannon will be a freshman this fall at Waynesburg central High School. Shannon received the top talent award and was named Second Runner-up. She performed a tap dance to “Cupid Shuffle”.
Waynesburg Pennsylvania has the distinction of having rain on every July 29th. Rain Day, has come to be known, not just in Waynesburg, but also throughout the United States and in many foreign countries, is a combination of fact and fantasy. Although records have only been kept in more recent times, it has rained in Waynesburg on July 29th for 111 out of the last 135 years (as of 2009). Sometimes, there have been only a few sprinkles in widely separated parts of town, much to the delight of those who think that there is a mystique surrounding the event. For more information on Rain Day – please visit http://www.raindayfestival.com
Kick-Off Banquet
In photo: left to right
Row 1 – Payden Policz - 2009 Crown Bearer, 2008 Miss Rain Day - Elissa McCracken, Christa Ziefel
Row 2 – Mikayla Sonneborn, Micaela Ruse, Shelby Block, Emily Block, Annie Dayich,
Joanna Allen
Row 3 – Shannon Morgan, Kelcee Headlee, Samantha Rush, Emily Coss, Melissa
Brewer
Twelve young women from throughout Greene County gathered recently at the Glass Room in the Benedum Hall on the Waynesburg University campus to officially kick off their quest for the Miss Rain Day title.
The young ladies and their guests were treated to a dinner, courtesy of McCracken’s Pharmacy. Distinguished guests for the evening were Miss Elissa McCracken, 2008 Miss Rain Day, Miss Payden Policz, 2009 Crown Bearer, and Miss Elena LaQuatra, 2007 Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen America.
