Monroeville Rotary crowns Miss Independence 2022

Tiaras, ball gowns and plenty of red, white and blue made for a festive event at this year’s Monroeville Miss Independence Awards, where 17-year-old Lindsey Storey was crowned as Miss Independence 2022.

The scholarship competition has been a staple in the community since 1964 and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Monroeville since 1998. With 56 winners in its lifetime, the competition is a historical event that gives young women the opportunity to share their goals and love for their community.

Each year, a select group of Gateway High School students participates in a three-round process. It is traditional that 12 applicants are selected and interviewed by a panel of judges. This year’s panel was made up of four business and community leaders chosen by the planning committee.

The 2002 competition looked a bit different, though. Only three young ladies entered because of the event’s two-year, pandemic related hiatus. Students Lindsey Storey, Gianna Canova and Regan McDevitt represented Gateway in the competition.

“The thing about this competition is it’s all about being yourself and showing your true talents,” said Canova. “It all goes along with your core values and morals. It’s not a beauty competition, but more about the beauty within.”

After the interview, contestants are presented with an essay question and given 30 minutes to answer the prompt to the best of their abilities. The judges rate each on a numerical scale.

This year’s question asked the contestants what they believed unites Americans and what divides them.

“I wrote about how much hatred and closed-mindedness tear America apart,” said Storey. “I wrote that morals and freedom unite America, but communities and people unite Americans. Community organizations like the Monroeville Rotary work to connect us all as people.”

Traditionally, seven finalists are named and invited to the awards luncheon, where the previous year’s winner crowns the new Miss Independence, who is presented with a $1,000 scholarship. The entire court then is given bracelets and other gifts from the Rotary club.

The 2019 winner, Lauren Miller, presented Storey with her crown. Canova was awarded runner-up, and McDevitt was named first finalist.

“Being a part of this competition has shown me how important it is to stay active in the community, and how important staying true to myself is,” said Canova.

During the June 18 luncheon, each contestant shared her goals. Storey spoke about her hopes of studying supply-chain management after seeing the effect the covid-19 pandemic has had on resources.

Canova shared her desire to study criminal justice and use her voice to support others in her community. McDevitt expressed her aspiration of becoming a news anchor to be able to share the stories of community members.

Storey also shared how she had covid during most of the contest and had to compete remotely. Using her iPad and laptop, she communicated with the judges and wrote her essay alongside the other contestants.

“I had a whole setup,” said Storey. “I wore business clothes while I was interviewed over Zoom, and wrote my essay online within the time limit and was able to send it in.”

Each member of the finalist court is invited to sit on the Miss Independence float in the Fourth of July Parade.

“I’ve lived in Monroeville my whole life, and I’ve always gone to the Fourth of July parade,” said Storey. “When I was little, I would always say, ‘There go the princesses’ when the Miss Independence float would go by.”

To be eligible for the contest, applicants must be a Monroeville or Pitcairn resident and finishing their junior year at Gateway High School. Those interested in competing in next year’s event are able to pick up an application from their junior counselor’s office.

This year’s competition was organized by members of the Miss Independence Committee: Kathie Forest, Lillian DeDomenic, Marcy Walter and Tina Mular.