First Attendant Kelly Skidmore
Queen MaLeah Thornton
Second Attendant Cassi Slone
(From Left to Right)

By SHAUNA GOODHART
The Herald

Prior to Wednesday's Miss Pumpkin Show contest, Westfall High School junior MaLeah Thornton told The Herald her most memorable Pumpkin Show moments involved watching parades and cheering on Miss Pumpkin Show candidates.

She'll enjoy those moments from the best seat in the house during the next year.

Thornton was crowned the 2003 Miss Pumpkin Show at the close of last night's judging, proving it pays to treat others as you wish to be treated. The Golden Rule, she explained to judges, is her personal motto.

Thornton, shaking with excitement, said she was surprised to hear her name announced as queen.

"I couldn't believe it!" she said.

Members of Thornton's court include Kelly Skidmore, Circleville High School senior, and Cassi Slone, Amanda-Clearcreek junior.

Aside from being selected as a member of the Miss Pumpkin Show court, Skidmore said she most enjoyed riding in the parade and waving to everyone along the route.

Skidmore said standing on the West Main Street stage and looking into a sea of family, friends and fans is a moment she'll remember for years to come.

"It's amazing," she said. "My friends and family are the biggest supporters I have."

Slone said being crowned second attendant made her feel older. She said members of the 2002 Miss Pumpkin Show court looked so much older than her and she was surprised she was sharing the stage with them.

"I feel so special now," she said.

Looking out into the crowd and seeing signs with her name and picture was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time, she said.

"It's a big confidence booster. Other than that, it makes you nervous, because you don't want to let those people down," she said.

Thornton, Skidmore and Slone, along with the newly crowned Little Miss Pumpkin Show court, will make their debut during Thursday's afternoon parade.

Other finalists selected during the Miss Pumpkin Show contest included Logan Elm High School junior Rachel Bowers, Zane Trace High School senior Leslie Stanley and Teays Valley High School junior Keilah Stevens. The remaining candidates were Amanda-Clearcreek senior Casey Davis, Circleville High School junior Molly Corson, Logan Elm High School senior Heather Cottrell, Teays Valley High School senior Krystal Dowdy, Westfall High School senior Rachel Barnes and Zane Trace High School junior Kimberly Young.

The contest was sponsored by Circleville Sunrise Rotary with members Katie Cline and Glenda Mullet serving as co-chairpersons. The gift package for the queen and her court includes items donated by the following businesses: As We Grow, Block's, Rhonda's Hair Gallery, Bruce List Photography, Pickaway County Chamber of Commerce, Christopher's don Boutique, Sharff's, Maggie & Me, Porter's Dry Cleaning and Especially For You.