Wheeling Park High School’s annual Queen of Queens pageant will take center stage on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the school’s Performing Arts Center, showcasing the talents and poise of senior participants.
Tickets can be purchased online, with adult tickets priced at $7 and student tickets at $5. However, all Ohio County students can attend for free with their student ID.
For many contestants, the event is an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and embrace a new challenge.
Senior Ciera Faulstick said she joined the pageant to try something different and enjoy time with her peers.
“I wanted to have fun with the other girls and Mrs. Greenwood during rehearsals,” said Faulstick. “I had a few friends that participated last year and loved it, so I wanted to try it and genuinely just have fun. I really think that’s what it’s all about!”
The competition consists of multiple sections, including talent performances, an interview, and a poise and posture segment.
Ciera, who will sing while performing a color guard routine, has been preparing by rehearsing her routine and crafting her introduction statement.
Senior Kaylee Stout said the competition differs from others she has participated in because it brings together contestants from within the same school. While she looks forward to the experience, she anticipates that the speech portion will be the most challenging.
“I am not the best at public speaking,” said Stout. “I plan to overcome that by memorizing my speech and speaking confidently.”
Beyond competition, many participants see Queen of Queens as a platform to promote confidence and self-acceptance.
“Winning the Queen of Queens title would mean that I can prove that all body types can be in a pageant and that beauty standards should be ripped from the world,” said Faulstick. “Even though it’s called a beauty pageant, the real beauty will always shine from the inside.”
For senior Arie Friend, the pageant is about personal growth.
“It is important to put yourself out there, or you will never step out of your comfort zone,” said Friend.
While the ultimate winner will go on to represent Wheeling Park at the OVAC Queen of Queens competition, contestants emphasize that the experience itself is the most rewarding part.
“Winning isn’t the most important thing to me,”said Friend. “However, I would be honored if I did. I would hope to represent Wheeling Park well at the next level and continue having fun sharing my talent with my community.”
As the contestants take the stage, Queen of Queens proves to be more than a competition. It’s a celebration of confidence, community, and growth, with memories that will last a lifetime.
