Senior wins Miss Cheerleader contest

The cheerleader plans to pursue pre-law at Ohio State University.
BOARDMAN -- Joanna Lenefonte of Boardman, daughter of Mary Jo and Joe Lenefonte, was selected as Miss Cheerleader of America for Ohio at a recent competition in Columbus.
She is a senior representing Boardman High School and won a $1,200 cash scholarship, a tiara, a certificate and plaques as well as a personalized school sash and souvenir gifts.
Joanna has been involved in cheering for the past 11 years. She made the freshman squad as a ninth-grader, and moved up to be junior varsity captain as a sophomore. As a junior she moved up to varsity and was chosen varsity captain as a senior.
Cheering isn't her only interest.
She won first place in the Youngstown State University Italian Poetry Contest.
She is president of the Italian Club, committee head of National Honor Society and committee head and member of the Italian National Honor Society. She plans to attend the Ohio State University and enter the pre-law program.
The Miss Cheerleader of America program is offered to female high school cheerleaders in grades 9 through 12. It's not a cheer skill, beauty or talent competition. Judges look for the all-American girl, said Lucy Wiesend, pageant coordinator.
Participants are required to write an essay and be interviewed by judges. The competition also includes a pageant-style evening gown section.
Each high school with a student participant will receive a plaque bearing the cheerleader's name and photo to be placed in the school's sports trophy case.
The Miss Cheerleader of America organization promotes education and recognizes high school cheerleaders. There isn't a national pageant. Scholarship awards are made at the state level.