New Oxford High School senior crowned Miss Hanover Area 2023

Staff Report
·2 min read

Nine seniors from three local high schools took to the stage and competed for the title of Miss Hanover Area 2023, but it was New Oxford High School's Kendall DeShong who took home the crown Monday night at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center.

Judges awarded the title of first runner-up to Spring Grove's Carolyne Rohrbaugh, second runner-up to Hanover's Elizabeth Huston and third runner-up to New Oxford's McKenna Kerley.

To celebrate the pageant's 55th year, 15 former Miss Hanovers were able to attend and grace the stage once more, including the past three winners (Finley Miller, Grace Coppersmith and Mikayla Gebhart) as well as the pageant's inaugural honoree from 1969, Shirley Jenkins.

New Oxford High School's Kendall DeShong is crowned Miss Hanover Area 2023 during the 55th Miss Hanover Area Pageant at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Hanover.
New Oxford High School's Kendall DeShong is crowned Miss Hanover Area 2023 during the 55th Miss Hanover Area Pageant at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Hanover.

Scholarships & Awards

Miss Hanover Area: Kendall DeShong, New Oxford High School

  • $1,000 Scholarship Award sponsored by the Hanover Area Foundation; Plaque and sash donated by Trisha Shaffer; Crown donated by the Miller Family; Bouquet by Cremer's Florist

First Runner-Up: Carolyne Rohrbaugh, Spring Grove Area High School

  • $750 scholarship award sponsored by the Hanover Area Foundation; Plaque and sash donated by Trisha Shaffer; Bouquet by Cremer's Florist

Second Runner-Up: Elizabeth Huston, Hanover High School

  • $500 scholarship award sponsored by the Hanover Area Foundation; Plaque and sash donated by Trisha Shaffer; Bouquet by Cremer's Florist

Third Runner-Up: McKenna Kerley, New Oxford High School

  • $250 scholarship award sponsored by the Hanover Area Foundation; Plaque and sash donated by Trisha Shaffer; Bouquet by Cremer's Florist

(From left) Carolyne Rohrbaugh, Elizabeth Huston and McKenna Kerley smiles on stage after being named first, second and third runners-up, respectively, during the 55th Miss Hanover Area Pageant at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Hanover.
(From left) Carolyne Rohrbaugh, Elizabeth Huston and McKenna Kerley smiles on stage after being named first, second and third runners-up, respectively, during the 55th Miss Hanover Area Pageant at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Hanover.

Interview Award: Carolyn Rohrbaugh, Spring Grove Area High School

  • $250 cash award sponsored by Sherry Cracium-Bolin

Talent Award: Kendall DeShong, New Oxford High School

  • $200 scholarship award from the Janet Lawrence Memorial Fund, sponsored by Theresa Henry

Evening Gown Award: Kendall DeShong, New Oxford High School

  • $100 cash award sponsored by Mike and Karen Mummert

Abigail Bachman Community Service Award: Grace Barnes, New Oxford High School

  • $250 cash award sponsored by Abigail, Linda and Bill Bachman

Miss Community Support Award: Anberlin Weaver, Spring Grove Area High School

  • $150 cash award sponsored by the Hanover Area Jaycees

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: New Oxford Pa. senior crowned Miss Hanover Area 2023