Homecoming Queen Contest

Each year our area residents elect a Homecoming Queen.  The homecoming queens of Pottstown, Pottgrove, Owen J. Roberts and St. Pius X High Schools are invited to participate.  They are elected by a “Penny-A-Vote”. Collection cans are place in area businesses; fundraising events are held with all proceeds helping to pay for the celebration.

The previous year’s Queen in a ceremony crowns the Queen on July. The Queen, her escort and her court ride in convertibles in the Parade.

Natalee Sassaman–Pottstown	Angelo Paolucci–Pottsgrove	Paige Francesco–Owen J. Roberts

Photos by John Strickler

News article below from The Mercury at www.pottsmerc.com

Homecoming Queens Using Throne for Charity

By Michael Hays

POTTSTOWN–First come the cans, then the fireworks.

For the past 30 years, Pottstown has funded its annual Fourth of July celebration by pitting area homecoming queens against each other in a race to raise the most spare change. Collection cans should start sprouting up around town with growing frequency, as the contest officially started Thursday, May 1.

The contestants this year are Paige Francesco of Owen J. Roberts High School, Angela Paolucci of Pottsgrove High School, and Natalee Sassaman of Pottstown High School. St. Pius X High School is not formally represented for the 2008 Homecoming Queen Penny-A-Vote Contest as a result of a serious accident to their queen. On average, between $5,000 and $7,500 is raised for this event, according to committee chairwoman Regina Epps. For the past six years, she and Denis Friz have helped organize the contest.

The Contestants

Paige Francesco, Owen J. Roberts High School
Hometown: Spring City
Activities: cheerleading, school musicals, concert choir, flute player in concert band
Fundraising activities: selling senior shirts and candy grams, and holding car washes.
Work outside of school: Paige holds two part-time jobs, at Abercrombie & Fitch in Exton and Limited Two at the Coventry Mall. Later this month, she is starting a full-time position at a children’s day camp at Grace Assembly Church.
Volunteer activities: she has directed traffic during previous Fourth of July celebrations for Ludwig’s Fire Company. Paige serves in vacation bible school, youth group, and a Sunday school teacher at Brownback’s U.C.C.
Next year’s plans: West Chester University, where she plans on studying to become a secondary math teacher
Why do you want to be the Queen of Pottstown?
“It’s exciting. When I was young, I thought, ‘Oh man. That would be great.’ They know everyone and have so many friends. It’s a great honor,” she said.

Angela Paolucci, Pottsgrove High School
Hometown: Pottstown
Activities: field hockey, lacrosse, key club, executive council, varsity club
Fundraising activities: a powder puff game at school, in addition to a “Mr. Pottsgrove” men’s fashion and talent show, and car washes.
Work outside of school: Angela does some seasonal work during the summer and winter seasons.
Volunteer activities: she participates in key club blood drives and community cleanups, in addition to a community meals program.
Next year’s plans: Bloomsburg University, elementary education major
Why do you want to be the Queen of Pottstown?
“I ran for princess in ninth grade. I’m excited and determined to run my senior year.” She is looking for a bit of redemption after losing her bid for the princess crown a few years ago.

Natalee Sassaman, Pottstown High School
Hometown: Pottstown
Activities: softball, soccer, editor of yearbook, key club, National Honor Society
Fundraising activities: “I’m a traditional fundraiser. Car washes. Instead of a bake sale, I might do a popsicle sale. And put cans out,” Natalee said.
Work outside of school: Natalee is a hostess at TGI Friday’s in Coventry Mall.
Volunteer activities: at the Arch of Chester County, she swims with mentally and physically handicapped people, and reads with students.
Next year’s plans: Lehigh University, engineering major
Why do you want to be the Queen of Pottstown?
“Because I’m from Pottstown,” she said, recognizing that her residence doesn’t exactly distinguish herself completely from the other two contestants. “I would be a good representative,” she said.