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Chyna Glenn crowned 2009 Peach Queen

Date: 7/7/2009

By Kaitlyn Schroyer, Staff Intern

WILBRAHAM -- Every year, the citizens of Wilbraham and Hampden (and many more from the surrounding towns) look forward to the annual Peach Festival.

Taking place Aug. 21 through 23 this year, the festival is hosted at Fountain Park on Tinkham Road in Wilbraham. Along with the 25-year history of the festival, there have been 24 years of having a Peach Queen.

"The Peach Queen must have speaking abilities, presence, poise and confidence. We are looking for the all-American girl," Patti Diotalevi, who has been the pageant's coordinator for 24 years, said. This year, nine girls competed in the pageant on June 27.

"The pageant is open to anyone living in Wilbraham or Hampden and attends Minnechaug Regional High School," Diotalevi commented.

The girls first had to perform a dance, which has been dubbed the ice-breaker of the pageant. It is a way for the girls to be introduced. The contestants also had to walk in their gowns down a red carpet in heels and deliver speeches. The last part of the competition includes a bowl filled with questions for the girls to pick at random to answer. Points are awarded for the participant's response.

"The most nerve-racking part was the walk in the gown with the heels. But I knew my speech and I think I did well. The pageant was a lot of fun," Chyna Glenn, this year's Peach Queen, said.

Glenn, who will be a senior at Minnechaug this fall, was particularly picked for her poise and confidence in herself. She also delivered a stunning speech including all the different phases of her life and why she wanted to be this year's Peach Queen.

"It's an honor to be Peach Queen. The Peach Festival is a big part of Wilbraham and I'm really happy," Glenn said. "I was aiming for the Court, but this is good too!"

Including being Peach Queen, Glenn also won the title of Miss Congeniality, a separate award of the pageant that is given for personality.

The Peach Queen, along with her court, is an ambassador of the Peach Festival. Their duties are goodwill, greeting people and signifying that they are part of the community.

Also, as Peach Queen, Glenn and her court will receive scholarships, ride in the annual Peach Festival Parade, set off the fireworks and close the festival. Throughout the year, Glenn will participate in many community service events including reading to children at the library.