MARION, OH – Morgan Candel captured the title of Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2010 Saturday evening, August 7, during competition at Grant Middle School.

By winning the Miss Marion Popcorn Festival title, Candel earned a scholarship sponsored by H & R Block-Steve Rhoades. She also received the Festival crown and prize package.

“I was so happy I cried,” said an excited Candel. “I’ve tried for a several years and I’m absolutely ecstatic to be named queen this year.”

Candel captured the Talent award, sponsored by the Dance Factory/Carol and Gene Ault and JoAnne’s School of Dance/JoAnne Cook, for her vocal rendition of “On My Own”. She also claimed the Evening Wear and Casual Wear awards sponsored by Zucker & Associates and The Ohio State Bank respectively. The People’s Choice award went to Candel, as well, an award determined by monetary votes.

The daughter of Chris and Linda Candel of Marion, Candel is a 2008 graduate of Harding High School. Early Childhood Development is her major while attending The Ohio State University.

As Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2010, Candel will reign over all Festival activities; including being highlighted in the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade and performing from the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year.

First runner-up went to April Meyer who seized the Interview award sponsored by Ryan Campbell. Meyer is the daughter of Karen and Joe Meyer of Marion. She is a 2009 graduate of Pleasant High School and attends the University of St. Francis pursuing a degree in nursing. For the talent competition she performed a baton routine to an Ohio State University medley.

Nicholle Lang, the daughter of Doug and Lisa Lang of Harpster, took second runner up honors. Attending Tiffin University where she is pursuing her degree in accounting, Lang graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 2009. She performed an Irish step dance to “Shipping Up to Boston” during the talent competition.

Carolyn Bailey earned third runner up honors, as well as the Academic award sponsored by Tri-Rivers Career Center. The daughter of Jay and Diane Bailey of Marion, she is a 2008 graduate of Harding High School and is currently pursuing her nursing degree at Marion Technical College. During the talent portion of the competition, she sang “Free to Be Me”,

Charlotte Baird was fourth runner-up. The daughter of Rick and Peg Baird of Marion, a vocal interpretation of “If I Loved You” was her talent. Baird is a 2008 graduate of Harding High School and attends Otterbein University with a major in theatre.

The scholarships for the four runners up were sponsored by Marion Community Credit Union, Marion Technical College, Real Living Generations Realty, Marsha Conway, The Ohio State University at Marion, and The Richwood Bank.

Contestants were scored by two separate panels of judges. The first panel judged the afternoon Interview session worth 30%; and the second graded the evening competition which included 30% for Talent, 10% for Casual Wear, 20% for Evening Wear, and 10% for the On-Stage Interview.

Scholarship co-director Lynnell Jamison expressed her delight in the excellence of the contestants. “This was a tough competition among a great group of young women,” said Jamison. “All who competed are exceptional young women and were wonderful to work with … all would have made great queens.”