Teen contestant
Taylor Shoemaker, Auburn, a junior at Blue Mountain High School, was selected to participate in the 2014 Miss Teen Allentown/Harrisburg pageant competition on May 11.
Taylor learned of her acceptance into this year's competition when the pageant announced their selections following interviews in the Allentown/Harrisburg area. She submitted an application and took part in an interview session that was conducted by this year's pageant coordinator.
Taylor will compete for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants in the Miss Teen Division, one of four divisions that will have girls between the ages of 7 and 19 competing in modeling routines, which include casual wear and formal wear. Most important, Taylor will display her personality and interviewing skills while interviewing with this year's judging panel. Personality is the number one aspect that each contestant is judged on during all phases of competition.
If Taylor were to win the title of Miss Teen Allentown/Harrisburg, she would represent Allentown/Harrisburg and the surrounding communities at the national competition that will take place in Orlando, Fla. More than $30,000 in prizes and awards will be presented at the national competition while each winner enjoys this expense-paid trip of five nights and six days in Orlando.
Community businesses, organizations and private individuals will assist Taylor in participating in this year's competition by becoming an official sponsor to her. Through sponsorship, each contestant receives all the necessary training, rehearsals and financial support which will allow her to become confident and well-prepared in this year's pageant.
Any business, organization or private individual who may be interested in becoming a sponsor to Taylor may contact the Miss Teen Allentown/Harrisburg pageant coordinator at 877-403-6678.
Taylor is a member of Christ Evangelical Free Church, Strausstown, where she plays recreation basketball and is involved with the youth group. She is also a leader for girls in grades 3 to 5, which along with other leaders teach them about the Lord. Taylor recently joined the praise team at Sunday morning worship at the church.
She is a varsity cheerleader at Blue Mountain and her favorite subject to study is microbiology.
New employee
The Schuylkill United Way welcomed Michelle Halabura as the director of community relations.
Michelle will be constructing a marketing plan that includes enhancement of the social media and website outreach at the Schuylkill United Way, as well as fostering community outreach through new and existing programming. She has worked in Schuylkill County previously as the assistant executive director at the Walk In Art Center and also through volunteer work with various arts and cultural organizations.
Michelle comes to the Schuylkill United Way with a background in nonprofit management, having earned a bachelor's degree in arts management from Chatham College for Women in 2008 and a master's certificate in Art Business from Sotheby's Institute of Art in New York City in 2011. She is currently completing a master's degree in public policy from Kutztown University and is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.
Her passion is in nonprofit management and community work, and she is thrilled to work alongside the great companies and organizations in Schuylkill County through the Schuylkill United Way.