Emma Podobinski, a June 2 graduate of Warrior Run High School in Turbotville was crowned the 2023 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen during the Saturday, June 17 coronation that began at 6:30 p.m. in the Wellsboro Area High School auditorium. She was awarded a $3,000 educational scholarship and is the daughter of Emily Ayers of Watsontown and Michael Podobinski of Clarks Summit.

First runner-up Miss Montoursville Melody Rzeszotarski was awarded a $1,500 scholarship and second runner-up Miss Towanda Katherine West, a $1,000 scholarship. Because she was “friendly and helpful,” Miss Towanda was also named Miss Congeniality by a vote of the queen candidates and awarded a $500 scholarship.

Laurel Queen judges are: Renata Stiehl, WENY-TV news director and anchor in Horseheads, N.Y.; Jacob Michaels with 93.3 WBZD-FM in Muncy; and Marti Shabloski of Tioga County Emergency Services in Wellsboro.

“It was such a surreal feeling hearing my name called as the Laurel Queen,” Miss Podobinski said. “I was definitely surprised. I feel so honored and blessed to be queen this year.”

The queen coordinators took the 27 queen candidates on fun trips on Friday and Saturday so they could experience Wellsboro, according to Miss Podobinski. Among them was a trip to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, near Wellsboro; another to eat dinner at the Penn-Wells Hotel and one to go on a walk around town to see shops and landmarks.

“When I had time to myself this weekend, I stopped by Laurel Festival vendor booths to see all of the amazing things being sold. It was cool to see queen candidate photos in all of the downtown store windows,” she said.

“Spending time with the other candidates was joyful. We shared so many laughs together it was easy to make new friends. We created a group chat to use everyday to message each other,” said Miss Podobinski.

“The queen coordinators were also amazing. They were like our moms, always ready to help us pin our sashes or fix our dresses. The judges were also lovely to be around. We all shared many conversations with them,” she said.

“What I will remember most is how welcoming the town of Wellsboro is. It is powerful and exciting to see how much happiness and pride community members hold for their town. That has truly left a mark on me forever.” 

In July, Miss Podobinski is going on a mission trip abroad to Belize with her church, Community Mennonite Fellowship in Milton.

On Aug. 25, she will head to Houghton University in Houghton, New York and major in Communications with an emphasis on Integrated Marketing, and a minor in Literature.

Her career goal is to work for a publishing company, such as Penguin Teen, creating marketing materials to promote new book releases and graphic design skills learned in her major to make visually appealing book advertisements.

The semi-finalists were each asked one question during the program. Miss Warrior Run was asked what she was passionate about and how she could use it to help others in her community. Miss Podobinski said, ”Music is my passion. Composing helps me with my anxiety. I help kids at camp by composing and sharing silly songs. That helps them relax, laugh and be silly. It’s an icebreaker. Also, I sing as a worship leader in my church to help others connect spiritually.”

Miss Montoursville is First Runner-Up

Miss Montoursville Melody Rzeszotarski was named first runner-up and awarded a $1,500 educational scholarship.

She is the daughter of Joy and Steven Rzeszotarski of Williamsport and will be a senior at Montoursville Area High School this fall.

“I was excited to make the top ten semi-finalists but when I heard ‘first runner up Miss Montoursville’ my jaw just dropped. The moment felt unreal.”

As a queen candidate, Miss Rzeszotarski was busy with events and rehearsals but during free time stopped in at The Green and downtown stores.

“One of my favorite events was being in the parade on Saturday and getting to wave and see all of the smiling faces, especially the kids. Another was the concert during the preview Friday night. I went up and down the aisles clapping to the beat and dancing to get people to dance and have a good time. I also got to lead a huge dance line of the queen candidates,” said Miss Rzeszotarski.

”I am looking forward to planning some reunions with all of the candidates via our group chat,” she said.

Upon graduating in 2024, she hopes to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., to study government and international relations. Her career goal is to work through different office positions in the public service field to gain enough experience to serve in political office.

Eventually, her dream is to become a senator or a diplomat serving in Slavic countries’ embassies, using Russian as the prominent language of communication.

“This summer I plan to work on my Russian language studies and prepare for band camp at the beginning of August, which marks the start of my last year in high school,” she said.

As a semi-finalist, she was asked if students can make a difference in politics before they are eligible to vote. “I’m only 17 but I believe you can.

Volunteer to help with election activities and educate yourself on issues that are local, national and global. The world is larger than your small Pennsylvania town, Pennsylvania itself and our nation.” she said.

Miss Towanda is Second Runner-Up & Miss Congeniality

“Being named second runner-up and receiving a $1,000 educational scholarship sent me into a state of shock,” said Katherine West, who represented Towanda Junior-Senior High School. “I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was awesome.”

Because she was “friendly and helpful,” Miss West was also named Miss Congeniality by a vote of the other queen candidates and awarded an additional $500 scholarship. She is the daughter of Deborah and Kevin West of Wysox.

“I’m so happy with how this weekend went and with all the connections I made,” said Miss West.

“While in Wellsboro we, as queen candidates, got to learn a lot about each other and had a lot of yummy food,” she said.

“I will remember all of these amazing girls and all of the amazing people of Wellsboro that were able to make this happen,” said Miss West.

She has worked as a waitress at Woody’s Ale House & Grille, part-time, on weeknights and weekends for the past three years and is working there this summer. 

As a semi-finalist, Miss West was asked, “With cuts in education funding, school districts are cutting back. What types of programs should be kept?  What programs in high school do you feel most prepared you for your future? She said, “Basics in home economics, cooking, changing a tire, balancing a checkbook, etc. Her ”independent apprenticeship” gave

her the chance to observe a first grade teacher. “I loved it and learned a lot from her. She helped me decide what I want to do with my future.” 

On Aug. 10, Miss West will move to West Virginia University in Morgantown to major in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Special Education with a minor in Dance. Her classes will start on Aug. 16.

Her goals are to be a first grade teacher and to open her own dance studio. 

She studied dance from the age of three through 12th grade at the Pat Haggerty School of Dance in Sayre, was on its competition dance team winning multiple awards in solo, duet, trio and group dances and taught jazz and tap as a volunteer student teacher every Saturday morning during high school.  

Laurel Queen Semi-Finalists

In addition to the 2023 Laurel Queen and the first and second runners-up, other semi-finalists include: Miss Blue Ridge Libby Zick of New Milford; Miss Bucktail Haley Burrows of Chapman Township, Miss Coudersport Mady Goodrich of Coudersport, Miss Cowanesque Valley Janna Quick of Chatham Township, Miss Muncy Alyssa Weigle of Muncy Township, Miss North Penn-Liberty Jaclyn Nelson of Liberty and Miss Troy Gabrielle Lathrop of Wells Township.

For information about upcoming events in Wellsboro, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at 570-724-1926 or visit the chamber website at www.wellsboropa.com.