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Karleigh McKenna represents Montoursville at the Flaming Foliage Festival

Senior Karleigh McKenna was chosen to represent Montoursville at the 75th annual Flaming Foliage Festival, among 23 other girls from the area.

Held in Renovo, Flaming Foliage is a chance to showcase the beautiful scenery of the area right as the leaves turn all different shades of red, yellow and orange.

“There is one female selected from each high school in a certain area in Pennsylvania,” said McKenna. “They are selected based on their poise, character, academics and whatever else the teachers think of.”

McKenna, being the class president, mock trial captain and in the top 20 percent of the grade, was picked to represent Montoursville at the end of her junior year.

The festival was held from Oct. 11 to the 13th. All throughout those three days, the representatives competed in different events that were meant to showcase the traits in which they were picked for.

“We got interviewed and did a bunch of other events where these judges annalized us the entire time to determine how our personality and character and poise is reflected” said McKenna.

These “events,” in which she was judged, consisted of questions and conversations during luncheons and interviews in front of the judges.

The 2024 Flaming Foliage court poses for a group photo. The court was comprised of 26 senior girls from around the area.

McKenna explained that the judges weren’t necessarily looking for certain answers in their judging but more how each candidate presented themselves. They were looking for how well each representative talked and without impediment. Their decorum and appearance also contributed to how they were judged, she said.

McKenna wasn’t alone during this weekend.

“I was basically Karleigh’s personal Uber driver, minus the part where I got paid,” said senior Brady Cohen. Cohen served as McKenna’s escort throughout the weekend. “Your escort was a factor (in the judging)” said McKenna. “Your escort mattered.”

Between the interviews and the parades and the constant questions, the representatives had time to socialize with the other people from around the area. A few families, local to Renovo, volunteer to host the representatives and their escorts.

“My favorite part was meeting my host family” said McKenna. “Her real name was Priscilla but everybody called her ‘Toot,’ pronounced ‘tut.’”

Seniors Karleigh McKenna and her escort Brady Cohen posing after the closing ceremonies. The ceremony was held at Bucktail Area High school.

The festival also featured a “school dance” type event for the representatives to blow off some steam. “It is just the ultimate bonding experience when two people hit the gritty,” said Cohen.

“They were looking for how you presented yourself and I feel like I did that really well” reflected McKenna. “I’m a good public speaker from Mock Trial and I think I presented that well.”

Although McKenna and Cohen did not receive any awards at the festival, they both agreed that this was an experience that the would both never forget.

 

Featured Image (at top of article): Karleigh McKenna poses on a trail overlooking Renovo. McKenna represented Montoursville at the Flaming Foliage festival this October.

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