Crowned in Gold
Covering the 26th Annual Miss BK competition.
March 27, 2019
After three months of learning dance routines, dress shopping, and packing on hairspray, the winners of the annual Miss BK pageant were finally announced on March 20. The contestants were Catherine Giordano, Madison Clemons, Mary Shoemaker, Grace McCormick, Kaitlyn Bateh, Sophy Blenkhorn, Dailey Jackson, and Hailey Klein. Dailey Jackson is the Second Runner Up, Catherine Giordano came in as the First Runner Up, and Mary Shoemaker won the title of the 26th Miss BK.
Seniors Michael Sissine and Easa Farah hosted the pageant, earning many laughs from the audience during each interlude of the show. Giving numerous praises to Mrs. Stephanie Merill, Mr. Robert Sims, and Mr. Michael Broach. Sissine and Farah provided an immensely entertaining show from the beginning. The 2018-2019 Miss BK Grace Isaac showcased her own talent by dancing to “On the Floor” by Jennifer Lopez in a rainbow-colored leotard, firing up the audience.
The girls were judged based off of talent, casual wear, an off-stage interview, their formal wear choices (accompanied by senior NJROTC members), and an on-stage speech where each contestant was asked to describe the person in their lives with the biggest heart of gold. The contestants walked around fashionably and demonstrated their fantastic onstage chemistry.
“[My biggest accomplishment] is being able to walk around confidently in myself and in my own skin. Just being able to do that is a really big thing for me,” said First Runner-up Catherine Giordano.
Providing additional entertainment, senior Lauren Ruen demonstrated her talent for piano by playing Beethoven in her luminescent blue dress. Later on, senior Michael Winston danced to “No Tears Left to Cry” by Ariana Grande, and this was definitely one of the crowd favorites of the night. Furthermore, Michael Winston is the first male to provide a portion of the guest entertainment in Miss BK history.
Grace Isaac presented the awards before the winners were announced. Hailey Klein won Miss Congeniality. Catherine Giordano won the Most Photogenic, Scholastic, and Most Service awards. Grace McCormick won the award for Most Sales. Finally, Mary Shoemaker won the Best Interview and Most Talented awards in addition to the Miss BK title.
“I feel over the moon and so excited. I don’t have words… I feel this crown on my head and I think ‘this isn’t supposed to be here.’ I’m so incredibly humbled. I don’t deserve this, but I’m so happy that everything paid off,” said Mary Shoemaker upon her win as the 26th annual Miss BK.
