Fostoria Glass Pageant returning

FOSTORIA — It turns out that Fostoria's Glass Pageant is unbreakable.The event, which offers area female youth an opportunity to represent the city by taking part in various events and activities, will take place at 2 p.m. June 14 in the Wainwright Performing Arts Center at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School. And entrants for the pageant's five age categories are being accepted through noon, May 30."It's the first one since COVID(-19)," said Maddie Stearns, administrative assistant to Mayor Don Mennel and Safety Service Director Eric Keckler. "Eric thought it would be a good idea to bring it back and asked if I'd be interested in getting some details and firing it back up, so I went ahead and formed a committee. We've been meeting probably every other week. We're going to try to make it like a reunion for those 2019 Glass Pageant court members who didn't really get to do anything during 2020 because of COVID, along with, of course, the actual Glass Pageant for this year."Stearns said hopes are to draw candidates who are enthusiastic about being involved in community activities."The main goal of this is to kind of get the youth in the community really involved," she said. "What will happen is, whoever is crowned royalty for 2025, that group of individuals will participate in community events throughout the year and make appearances at stuff like our fireworks event, our Halloween parade and maybe take some opportunities to do some volunteer things."I know, in the past, they've done some things out at Good Shepherd Home. So, really, it's just to try and get the female youth involved in the community and give them something to do. We know that Fostoria is trying to offer more for that younger generation, so this is kind of a good opportunity for girls to learn about public speaking and community involvement and stuff like that."Categories for entry are Wee Glass Princess (ages 5 and 6), Little Glass Princess (ages 7 through 9), Petite Glass Princess (ages 10 through 12), Glass Princess (ages 13 through 15) and Queen (ages 16 through 18). The entry fee is $30, and entries are not official until the fee has been paid and the entry form and a facial photo of the contestant have been submitted.At the pageant event, contestants in the youngest two categories will be introduced to the audience with the master of ceremonies reading biographical information on each. The Petite Glass Princess and Glass Princess contestants will be asked to answer a randomly drawn question. Queen candidates will, in advance, be assigned a topic for which they are to prepare and deliver a speech.Each contestant will receive a gift bag. Category winners will receive a crown, a sash and a silk flower bouquet that may be taken to each event they attend. Stearns said Fostoria Snow Queen Sue Echelberry will be available to the youngsters for guidance in how to handle themselves at different events."I'm super excited about this one because it's centered around the youth," Stearns said.Entry forms are available in the mayor's and safety service director's office at the municipal building, 213 S. Main St. Forms are also available at website www.fostoriaohio.gov and on the city's Facebook page. QR codes to access the form may be found at various locations in the city. Stearns noted that she and another member of the pageant committee will be staffing a table at today's Farmers' and Artisans' Market, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in downtown Fostoria.