Stella Blake, 17 crowned 2023 Greater Alliance Carnation Festival queen
ALLIANCE − Stella Blake used to sit in the audience with her family and watch other girls get crowns.
"Last year, I was like, 'I'm going to do that'," the 17-year-old Paris Township girl said. "And, so to think I'm up here is just insane. It's even crazier that I won."
More: Meet the 17 Carnation Festival queen candidates
Blake, a Marlington High School student, was crowned the 2023 Greater Alliance Carnation Festival queen on Saturday night in Alliance High School. Her fellow contestants also named her Miss Congeniality. Blake was chosen from a group of 17 contestants.
The festival begins Thursday and ends Aug. 13.
Blake is the daughter of Jennifer and William Blake. She was sponsored by Grey + Monroe Children's Boutique.
The other members of her court are 1st Attendant Mayze Leask; 2nd Attendant Meya Weatherspoon; and 3rd Attendant Gabriella Hill.
"I'm just over the moon," Blake said following the pageant. "I have so many emotions. I'm so excited to be with my court."
Former Carnation queens Taylor Penird Baxter (2016) and Mallory McCreedy (2017) emceed the 63rd annual pageant.
"It takes real heart and courage to be out here," Baxter told all the contestants before she and McCreedy announced the night's winners. "Regardless of the outcome ... I'm proud of you."
The contestants spent eight weeks getting ready for the pageant, attending community events and touring local businesses.
One of those events: Carnation Festival royalty thrills kids at dress-up party
"She made a lot of new friends," said William Blake, Stella's father. "She enjoyed every minute of it. I'm really happy for her."
Farewell, Kayla
Blake's coronation also meant saying goodbye to last year's queen Kayla Martin.
Martin and her court of 1st Attendant Chloe Orzo; 2nd Attendant Catarina Hagan; and 3rd Attendant Kenna McElroy − who dubbed themselves "The StarGirls" − shared a video of their 2022 experiences, and Martin tearfully read a farewell speech.
"I will forever be blessed and grateful to be the 62nd queen and all the amazing experiences that came with that," she said. "Through this experience we were able to give back to our community, inspire young girls and appreciate our city."
More: Queen candidates practice for interviews
Like Blake, Martin also was Miss Congeniality for 2022.
In addition to her family and friends, Martin thanked her court, city officials, the community and festival president Staci Gurney, who also runs the pageant. Martin said Gurney was like their "second mom," which Gurney appreciated.
"It's just wonderful to spend time with them and get to know each and every one of them," she said.
Gurney added the judges had a tough decision Saturday night.
"We had a group of wonderful girls," she said, "so I don't envy (the judges) at all."
A reception followed the pageant.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP.
2023 Carnation Festival Royalty
QUEEN - Stella Blake, 17, daughter of Jennifer and William Blake
1st ATTENDANT -Mayze Leask, 19, daughter of Jennie and Brian Craig, and Josh Leask
2nd ATTENDANT - Meya Weatherspoon, 17, daughter of Angela Weatherspoon
3rd ATTENDANT - Gabrielle Hill, 18, daughter of Aaron Hill Sr. and Sarita Hill
MISS CONGENIALITY - Stella Blake
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Stella Blake, a Marlington student, crowned 2023 Greater Alliance Carnation Festival queen
