Fitch homecoming queen to vie in state competition

AUSTINTOWN — Michaela Ja’Nese Rhodes, this year’s Austintown Fitch High School homecoming queen, has been selected as a finalist for the Ohio portion of the 28th annual America’s Homecoming Queen competition.

Rhodes and other homecoming queens from around the state were selected to compete for the state crown by filling out an application.

Rhodes, of Woodhurst Drive, is the daughter of Michael and Tracy Rhodes. She will compete April 12-13 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.

The winner will move on to the national competition in California this summer. Last year’s competition was at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

Last year’s Ohio representative in California was Brooke Slemons of Hubbard High School.

The nonprofit America’s Homecoming Queen organizing committee says the pageant promotes education, educational travel and community service in all 50 states. It has awarded scholarships and awards of more than $1.5 million since the pageant’s inception.

Rhodes is senior class president at Fitch as well as a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the girls golf team.

She is seeking financial help to make the trip to Dayton. To help, e-mail her at glittergurl08@sbcglobal.net.