First Attendant Brooke Thompson
Queen Katy Ankrom
Second Attendant Brooke King
(From Left to Right)

By SHAUNA GOODHART
The Herald

For the past few years, Circleville High School's Katy Ankrom has been running toward a goal, competing for cross country championships and earning medals for her efforts. Last night, Ankrom found herself the victor in a race of a different kind and earned the Miss Pumpkin Show crown, beating out 11 other candidates from area schools.

Ankrom, a junior, was crowned Miss Pumpkin Show queen, one of the most coveted titles in Pickaway County. The daughter of John and Teresa Ankrom of Circleville, she, along with her court, will join newly crowned Little Miss Pumpkin Show and her court at 3:30 p.m. today for their debut in the afternoon parade. They will appear in the afternoon and evening parades for the remainder of Pumpkin Show and they will represent Circleville's famed event at festivals throughout the state during the next year.

The new Miss Pumpkin Show offered concise responses throughout the night. When asked during preliminary judging of what she was most proud at her school, Ankrom said the level of student involvement. Following her coronation, her response was equally brief: "Iım so excited!" she said.

The anticipation was intense and the silence was deafening as announcers prepared to name the new Miss Pumpkin Show, and Ankrom said it was difficult to put the experience into words.

"It's hard to describe," she said. "It was a rush."

Sharing similar sentiments after last night's judging on the West Main Street stage were first attendant Brooke Thompson, Westfall High School senior, daughter of Brad and Donna Thompson of Circleville, and second attendant Brooke King, Zane Trace High School junior, daughter of Chris King and Candace King of Chillicothe.

Thompson said she was happy to have the opportunity to fulfill the requests of her classmates and her school.

"I would wish this upon anyone," she said, declaring her enthusiasm.

If anyone caught a glimpse of her shaking, it wasn't because of her nerves, she assured. It was only because she was cold. Thompson said she gained confidence from her fans along the parade route and in the crowd at the West Main Street stage.

"Just knowing they believe in you and seeing them out here (is encouraging) ... this is something Iıve always wanted to do," she said.

King said she, too, was delighted to compete for the title and earn her spot on the 2002 Miss Pumpkin Show court.

"I canıt even think of a word to describe it," she said. "Iım excited. I just wanted to be myself. Iım truly blessed."

Her first reaction after being crowned? "I thought, OWave!" she said.

King said she anticipates going to shows with the other members of her court and getting to better know both Ankrom and Thompson during the next year.

Ankrom, Thompson and King were selected from a pool of seven semi-finalists, which included the following: Audra Helser, Teays Valley High School junior; Brittany Pontious, Circelville High School senior; Tika Pritchard, Teays Valley High School senior; and Karrie Reeves, Logan Elm High School junior. Other contestants for the title were Kristine Kraft, Amanda-Clearcreek junior; Samantha Wiggins, Amanda-Clearcreek senior; Heather Rhoads, Teays Valley senior; and Courtney Joyce, Westfall junior.

The prize package for the queen and her court includes merchandise and services donated by the following: As We Grow, Block's Shoes, Especially For You, Rhonda's Hair Gallery, Bruce List Photography, Circleville-Pickaway Chamber of Commerce, Christopher's don Boutique, Sharff's Fashions, Maggie & Me and Porter's Car Wash.

The Miss Pumpkin Show contest is sponsored by Circleville Sunrise Rotary.