The new Miss Crawford County knows her platform well, and not just from studying about it.
Shauna Nicole Rice of Canadohta Lake said the pain from the rheumatoid arthritis she was diagnosed with as a juvenile is sometimes so bad she has to take time off from dancing, one of her life's passions.
Nobody would have guessed that, though, as the 20-year-old expertly back-flipped and balanced during her self-choreo-
graphed acrobatic dance to "An Endangered Species" at Monday's 52nd annual Miss Crawford County Scholarship Pageant, which was moved from the Crawford County Fairgrounds to Allegheny College because of the day's poor weather.
Rice will be promoting her platform, "Help JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) Today," throughout her year-long reign.
"I'm not only gaining more education" personally about the condition, "I'm also becoming a better advocate" for other young people affected by it, she said before being crowned by outgoing Miss Crawford County 2006 Ashley Elizabeth Borchilo. Seven young ladies vied for the crown.
As the new Miss Crawford County, Rice receives a $2,000 scholarship from Miss Craw-ford County Scholarship Pageant Inc. as well as a $2,000 tuition and $4,000 housing scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville.
Brittani Charnele DeVore, 18, of Saegertown, was named first runner-up; she was named third runner-up at last year's pageant. Should Rice not be able to continue her reign for any reason, DeVore would assume the title of Miss Crawford County. Her platform was "CARE for a Cause: Providing Hope to a Hurting Nation."
She received a $500 scholarship from the pageant association.
Rounding out the queen's court were Meredith Semon, 19, an Allegheny College student from West Newton, second runner-up; and Samantha Jo Rice, 22, of Guys Mills, third runner-up. Semon received a $250 scholarship awarded by Meadville Lions Club, and Rice received a $100 scholarship awarded by the pageant board.
The Miss Crawford County Scholarship Pageant Board voted Monday to move this year's pageant, themed "Country — This One's for the Girls," from the fairgrounds to Shafer Auditorium at Allegheny College's Henderson Campus Center due to weather-related safety concerns.
For the talent portion of the competition, each contestant showed off their dancing abilities. Pageant officials said the event was the first time in the history of the pageant that the contestants were all dancers.
Miss Pennsylvania Rachel Brooks and Borchilo also performed. Tom White served as master of ceremonies.
Cheryl Cameron and Shannon Kocan were co-directors of the pageant, with Jen Yeager and Melissa Bartholomew from Kristine's School of Dance serving as choreographers.
Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com.