Young promotes local pageant in parade

Cali Young, 2010 Miss Northern West Virginia, participated in the Weirton Christmas Parade this past Saturday.

Young, a native of Glen?Dale, W.Va., is a graduate of John Marshall High School and a student at West Liberty University majoring in General Business. She will compete for the title of Miss West Virginia in June with the platform "Stay YOUNG, Don't Use Tobacco."

Young women who live, work, or attend a college or university in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel or Tyler counties and are between the ages of 17 and 24 may be eligible to compete in the annual Miss Northern West Virginia Scholarship Program.

Young, as Miss Northern West Virginia, will represent the Northern Panhandle at the Miss West Virginia Pageant held in June in Morgantown. She will compete for the title of Miss West Virginia. The Miss West Virginia Organization and Pageant is an official preliminary for the Miss America Scholarship Program.

Thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to the winner and contestants in various categories and there is no entry fee.

Besides the scholarship money available for participating young women, the Miss Northern West Virginia Scholarship Program builds self-esteem, self-confidence and lasting friendships.

The Miss America Scholarship Program's national platform is the Children's Miracle Network; one of the judging criteria for candidates is community service.

Erin Marie Birkheimer of Weirton, April O'Brien of Columbus, Leann Romitti of Follansbee, Aubrey Bodo of Steubenville, Gabriella Harcharik of Weirton, and Chelcee Casey of Weirton competed along with Young in the 2010 Miss Northern West Virginia Pageant.

For information on the Miss Northern West Virginia Scholarship Program visit its Web site at www.MissNorthernWV.com or contact coordinators by e-mail to info@MissNorthernWV.com.