(4/2024) Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT), the non-profit 501c3 organization located at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in Gettysburg, PA, is now celebrating its 16th Season as the year-round community theatre in Adams County. GCT is the producer of the first EVER Miss Gettysburg Scholarship Competition within the legendary Miss America System. The sold out event was held at GCT Saturday, March 23, 2024 and is a direct prelim to the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition later this year.
Six young women and teens from all over the state of Pennsylvania competed with Panel Judge’s scoring on Private Interview, Sportswear, Talent/HERstory, Evening Gown, and On-Stage Question. Each of the candidates prepared and submitted essays on topics that are meaningful to them which included: Special Education, Diversity, Mental Health, Career Day For Kids, Advocating for Sexual Assault Victims, and Veterans Affairs. Ages 13-18 competed for the title of the first ever Miss Gettysburg Teen, and ages 18-28 competed for the title of Miss Gettysburg 2024.
Co-Hosts for the event were Lizzie Shacklett, Miss Pennsylvania Teen 2023 who crowned Jay Maslowski as the first ever Miss Gettysburg Teen, while Kacy Hartman, Miss Gettysburg 2023, crowned Juliana Denick as Miss Gettysburg 2024. Both winners had been contestants in the Miss Pennsylvania system for many competitions prior to their win on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Jay Maslowski attends Carlisle High School and is Team Captain for Carlisle PA American Foundation For Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Walk that helped raise $10,000. Juliana Denick is a graduate of West Chester University and is currently a Special Education Instructor who has been accepted into several law schools and her career ambition is to become a constitutional lawyer and Congresswoman working to advance the Civil Liberties of people with disabilities.
"Thanks to a sponsorship from the Adams County Community Foundation" says GCT Founding Executive/Artistic Director, Chad-Alan Carr who also serves as the Director of the Miss Gettysburg Scholarship Program, "both winners received a $500 Scholarship and will represent Gettysburg at the Miss Pennsylvania Competition for a chance to win even more Scholarship awards. We are excited to help foster a supportive environment for the future young women leaders of America through this annual Scholarship Competition. We hope that any young women and teen girls interested, will consider entering our competition next year."
Judges for the first ever in person Miss Gettysburg Scholarship Competition included: Roger Lund, The Gettysburg Chocolate Market & The Christmas Haus, Shelley Knouse, Fresh Boutique, Judy Lawrence, Black Rose Twirlers of Hanover, Dee Antionette, Author & Model, Doreen Laskiewicz, Gritz & Goals Magazine, Michael Cogliano, President Gettysburg Hospital, and Mayor Rita Frealing who also presented a proclamation for Miss Gettysburg Day 2024.
More information is available at www.GettysburgCommunityTheatre.org
