By TRISH BENNETT
The Herald

Proud parents huddled against bitter winds yesterday as their first grade daughters took to the Main Street stage for the Little Miss Pumpkin Show pageant. Adorned in curls, lace, ruffles and bows, 166 girls smiled through their shivers in the quest for the Little Miss crown.

Randi Bivens, daughter of Tisa and Randy Bivens, walked away with the coveted title. Bivens is a student at Westfall's Jackson Elementary School and was sponsored by Tina's Purrfect Collection.

Bivens said she was excited to have won the crown. Her favorite experience of the day, she said, was riding on the car in the parade.

But a poignant moment came for Bivens following the announcement of her win. At center stage amidst the noise and celebration, she accepted a congratulatory cell phone call from her mother, who had been unexpectedly hospitalized Tuesday for emergency surgery.

"Her mom had been planning for this for a long time," said Mr. Bivens. "Then she had to go into the hospital yesterday. I just wish she could have been here to see it."

Darienne Mareno, daughter of Dena Mareno and Victor Revas, took the title of first attendant at the pageant. She is a student at Circleville's Mound Street Elementary and was sponsored by McNeil Carpet and Flooring.

"I can't believe I won," Mareno said excitedly after the show. "I really wanted to win, and I can't believe I won."

Courtney Steinmetz, daughter of Jennifer Goldsberry and Doug Steinmetz, won the title of second attendant. She is a student at Clearcreek Elementary and was sponsored by Berger Health Systems.

"I was hoping I would win," she said with a smile after the pageant.

The 2001 Little Miss and her court were presented their tiaras and prizes by last year's contest winners. Karlee Wooten was Little Miss Pumpkin Show for 2000. Chelsea Conn served as first attendant, and Maggie Mancini was second attendant.

The girls were brought before the judges in groups of 10, and two semi-finalists were selected from each group. From there, the judges narrowed the field to nine girls, and selected the Little Miss and her court from those finalists.

Carolyn Stambaugh of Quality Golf, a judge for the contest, said it was a nearly-impossible task to choose three winners from the 166 girls who participated.

"I want them all to win," said Stambaugh as she wrestled with her decision. "All 170 of them."

Judges for the pageant were Stambaugh, Mayor Frank Stare of Newark and Jordance Yingling and Erin Henderson of The New Mix 94.3. Judges cars were provided by Don Thompson Lincoln Mercury and the Coughlin Auto Group.

Prizes for the winners were donated by As We Grow, Designs by Donna, Maggie & Me, Lindsey's Bake Shop, The Savings Bank, Wittich's Candy Shop, Blocks, Elsea Inc., Gio's, and McDonalds.

Photos of each Little Miss contestant may be viewed at the Circle Photo booth at the Pumpkin Show.

The Little Miss Pumpkin Show pageant is sponsored by the Circleville Jaycees.