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SWOPE NAMED
MISS TEEN POPCORN 2009
 

MARION, OH – Jessica Swope captured the 2009 Miss Teen Popcorn title Saturday evening in festivities at River Valley High School. 

Swope was speechless when asked how she felt when her named was called as the new Miss Teen Popcorn. “It’s so awesome,” she finally managed. “And it’s so awesome that all my friends are on the court – I know it’s going to be a great time.”    As Miss Teen Popcorn, Swope received a $200 scholarship donated by Primrose of Marion, her crown sponsored by Joanne Cook, and flowers from Marion Flower Show.  

Swope also seized the top honors in the program’s new Anything Popcorn category with her “Shiver Me Timbers” pirate-oriented routine reflecting this year’s Festival parade theme, “The Big Pop Sails the Seven Seas”. This effort earned her a $50 award sponsored by Pattie and Samantha Upchurch.   She also nabbed a $50 Community Service Award sponsored by Deb and Barry Tinnerello.

 In her new capacity, Swope will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade and performing from the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year. In addition to her scholarship and crown, Swope also received a banner, crown pin, diamond crown necklace, diamond tennis bracelet, crown sunglasses, crown earrings, Miss Teen Popcorn tote bag, 14K gold crown earrings, sterling silver popcorn charm and bracelet, Mary Kay cosmetic bag/make-up donated by Shirley McAlister and Carol Ault, and a beanie bear from Joanne Cook.

 A 16-year-old student at Pleasant High School, Swope is the daughter of Ben & Sheila Swope. Her talent was a tap dancing routine.

 First Runner-up is Anna Foss, a 14-year-old student at Ridgedale High School. Foss also took the $50 Talent Award sponsored by Joanne Cook with her Irish dance number. She is the daughter of Daren and Peggy Neuenschwander and Beau Foss.

 Jennifer St. John took Second Runner-up honors. She also won the $50 Evening Gown Award sponsored by Julie Kessler of Real Estate Showcase, as well as the Photogenic Award, a $50 gift basket sponsored by Deb & Barry Tinnerello. The 15-year-old daughter of William and Jocelyn St. John gave a dramatic vocal presentation as her talent. She is a student at Pleasant High School. 

Named Third Runner-up, Angelica Dye also nabbed the second Community Service Award sponsored by Carol and Gene Ault. Dye performed an Irish step dance for her talent, and is a student at River Valley High School. The 15-year-old is the daughter of Clovis and Brenda Dye.

Seizing the Fourth Runner-up position was Stormee McHargue. The 14-year-old also received the $50 Popcorn Spirit Award sponsored by Wyandot Popcorn and Shirley McAlister. The daughter of Larry and Cindy McHargue, McHargue attends Marion Catholic High School and tap danced for her talent.

Each of the runners-up received a $100 scholarship donated by Ann Walters, Tim Mooney, Ryan and Heidi Ballinger and Circle T Logistics. They also received flowers donated by the Marion Flower Show, banner, diamond tennis bracelet, crown necklace, crown tote bag, 14K gold crown earrings, sterling silver popcorn charm and bracelet, Mary Kay cosmetic bag with make-up donated by Shirley McAlister and Carol Ault, and a beanie bear donated by Joanne Cook.

Each of the seven non-finalists were the recipients of 14K gold crown earrings, sterling silver popcorn charm and bracelet, Mary Kay cosmetic bag with make-up donated by Shirley McAlister and Carol Ault, and a beanie bear donated by Joanne Cook. They were:

Cassie McDorman is the 14-year old daughter of Steve and Angie McDorman. The Northmor student
clogged for her talent.

Tiffney Shepherd is a student at TRECA Digital Academy. The 18-year-old daughter of Barry and Melinda Shepherd performed a jazz routine.

The daughter of Mike and Kathy Newell, Mika Newell gave a vocal presentation for her talent. She is 13 years old and a student at Pleasant Middle School.

Country clogging was the talent for 15-year-old Amanda Evans. The Mount Gilead High School student is the daughter of Kevin and Toni Evans.

River Valley Middle School student Samantha Appleman performed a hip hop routine as her talent. The 13-year-old is the daughter of April Appleman and Troy Appleman.

Jonikka Shepherd twirled batons for her talent. The Tri-Rivers Career Center student is 16 and the daughter of Barry and Melinda Shepherd.

A jazz dance was the talent offering by Whitney Perry, a 15-year-old student at Elgin High School. She is the daughter of Sandy and Tim Jones, and Mike Ryan.

Kay Gwinner, director of the Miss Teen Popcorn program, said, “This was an absolutely great group of girls to work with. We couldn’t have been more pleased.” Judges chairman Melody Freeman echoed Gwinner’s comments saying, “It went really smoothly, and we had a great team of judges who took on the difficult task of choosing from such a talented group of teens.”   Both felt the new Anything Popcorn category, which replaced the casual wear section, was a lot of fun and more reflective of the spirit of the Marion Popcorn Festival.