Tulpehocken High School’s Isabelle Stull won the 2015 Berks County Outstanding Young Woman title at the 53rd annual program Oct. 3.
Twenty senior high school girls participated in competition held at Reading’s Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Stull won the top award Berks County’s Outstanding Young Woman of 2016, with a $4,500 cash prize. In addition, she received recognition for both portions of the competition with the Performing Arts and Interview awards. For her talent performance, she played a classical piano piece.
Although her high school’s 2015 OWY participant did not give a positive review of the competition, Stull is glad her guidance counselor pushed her to audition.
“I’m so in shock, but I’m really grateful for everything,” she said about receiving the three awards. “I’m just excited to spread the positivity of OYW.”
The 20 contestants were Daniel Boone senior Sara Hojnowski, Kings Academy senior Kayla Petersen, Wilson senior Allison Glenn, Twin Valley senior Eliza Eames, Fleetwood senior Sarah Rothenberger, Schuylkill Valley senior Adriana Popa, Reading senior Isabel Gonzalez, Wyomissing senior Jocelyn Dialectos, Antietam senior Victoria Wagner, Conrad Weiser senior Briana Sassaman, Boyertown senior Alexis Zilen, Berks Catholic senior Julie Mengle, Exeter senior Lauren Moyer, Muhlenberg senior Erin Smith, Hamburg senior Chyanne Lesher, Governor Mifflin senior Kelly Moyer, Oley Valley senior Alexis Meals, Tulpehocken senior Isabelle Stull and Brandywine Heights senior Sarah Betts.
The competition started long before Saturday night. Many of the girls auditioned after urging from school guidance counselors. The 20 girls, each representing a Berks County high school, made the final cut. During the summer, they attended four-hour weekly practices on Sundays.
According to Norman Adam, the president of Berks County’s Outstanding Young Woman since 1989, the show sold about 600 tickets. While the organization planned details like the venue throughout the winter, the contestants were responsible for selling tickets at their schools.
Reflecting on the program’s 53rd year, he said, “It shows stability. We have an organization that works together.”
Chyanne Lesher of Hamburg Area High School was the first runner up, Allison Glenn of Wilson High School was second and Julie Mengel of Berks Catholic High School was third.
Lesher, who performed a dance routine, also received the Aerobics and Fitness Award. She was surprised to receive the award, but said, “I think I worked very hard for everything I’m at.”
Kayla Petersen from the King’s Academy High School won the Keystone and Presence and Presentation Awards for her spoken word performance.
Sarah Betts of Brandywine Heights High School, who performed on clarinet, won the Scholarship and Achievement Award.
Betts, who wants to study biochemistry, said, “This is something I would’ve never picked for myself, but it’s been an incredible experience.”
She added that with the support of the other 19 girls, “I’m less nervous than I would’ve been.”
The show began with an aerobics dance routine. For the girls with little experience in dance, the weekly practices were helpful.
“I’m not a dancer and I feel prepped for the aerobic,” said Kelly Moyer of Governor Mifflin High School, who performed the flute.
“Getting it all together…it’s been hectic but really fun,” said Alexis Zilen of Boyertown Area Senior High School.
For Sarah Rothenberger of Fleetwood High School, preparation for the whole competition took “hard work, dedication and a lot of practice.”
“It’s a bit intimidating, but it’s such an honor,” she said.
After every girl performed her talent portion, the last chance to impress the judges was the interview portion. Each answered one question.
“The interview will be so helpful in college,” said Stull, who wants to be a neurologist.
Lesher, pursuing the same career path, agreed.
“I’m not very good in front of crowds,” she said. “After this, I think I have a better understanding of how to speak in public.”
When asked what she learned from the experience, Alexis Meals of Oley Valley High School stressed, “Confidence, confidence, confidence.”
Meals, hoping to study business in college, said, “It’s a good feeling being able to represent such good people at our school.”
For MacKenzie Sheetz of Kutztown Area High School, participating was a step up from regularly attending it with her mother.
“I’m really honored to represent little Kutztown,” she said, attributing her success in the competition to her involvement in school activities.
Outside of the awards, the 20 girls made lasting friendships, evident in the relaxed atmosphere offstage.
“I’m just excited to have gained 19 new best friends. It’s a great opportunity. It doesn’t even feel like a competition,” said Lauren Moyer of Exeter Township Senior High School as she got her hair prepped for her dance routine. The other girls in the room echoed her thoughts.
“It’s been an equal amount of friendship building and stressful rehearsals,” said Eliza Eames of Twin Valley High School.
According to Sara Hojnowski of Daniel Boone High School, the girls spent a few days outside of practices getting to know each other.
Hojnowski, who hopes to study science at American University, said, “I feel kind of proud because I don’t really see myself as someone who would be doing this.”
