Canfield woman ends up in Top 10 for Miss Pennsylvania

The local contestant has four more shots at making the Miss America pageant.

By DON SHILLING

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

Katelyn Koval of Canfield made a promise after finishing in the Top 10 of the Miss Pennsylvania pageant.

“I will be back,” said the 20-year-old student at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.

Koval said she was a bit disappointed Saturday when her name wasn’t called to be in the Top 5 and receive an on-stage interview, but it was an exciting experience nonetheless.

“I’m perfectly fine with making the Top 10,” said Koval, who is a 2005 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.

The pageant was held Wednesday through Saturday at Nazareth Area High School in Nazareth, Pa.

Rachel Brooks, 24, of Broomall, Pa., was crowned Miss Pennsylvania and will go on to the Miss America pageant. She attends the University of Pennsylvania.

The maximum competition age is 24, and Koval said she is looking forward to competing four more years. Last year, Koval competed in the Miss Ohio contest but didn’t make the Top 10.

Competing in pageant

She was able to compete in Pennsylvania because she attends college in that state. Koval, who majors in dance and is planning to add a second major this fall, will be a junior next school year. She was able to compete in the statewide contest after being named Miss Allegheny Valley last September in Pittsburgh.

Contestants that make the Top 10 in the statewide pageant competed Saturday on stage in swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions.

Those who make the Top 5 compete in an on-stage interview.

Koval said she enjoys the pageants because of the people she meets, the relationships that she builds and the confidence she has gained.

“It’s really a self-improvement program. The amount you see yourself change is unbelievable,” she said.

Her platform was mental illness awareness, and her talent was tap dance.

One of Koval’s best friends, Elyse Healey, 21, of Canfield, made the final 10 in the Miss Ohio contest but didn’t make it into the final five.

Christie Youssef, 21, also of Canfield, was a top 10 finalist for Miss Ohio as well.