SEBRING — “It’s always interesting to see the final voting,” hostess Jesslin Rego told a boisterous crowd of 700-plus people Monday watching the Miss Highlands County 2007 pageant from the bleachers of the Expo Pavilion at the Highlands County Fairgrounds.

In the end, the judges selected Avon Park High School student Samantha Wilson, 16, who was sponsored by Sunridge Harvesting Company of Lake Placid.

Samantha is the daughter of Samuel Wilson and Laura Moore.

Twenty-four contestants vied for the coveted crown, strutting their stuff in an evening gown procession. The final five answered questions posed by the five judges.

When asked how being a contestant for the last five weeks improved her self-esteem and why, Wilson told the judges it was all the wonderful girls who lifted her up.

“There’s not another feeling like that,” she said.

The young ladies began their journey in December, meeting with the coordinators, holding practices, interviews and having professional photographs taken.

Outgoing Miss Highlands County 2006, Katlyn Hammortree, shared with the audience what the young ladies were probably feeling – nervous and eager – as the judges tallied their score cards.

She told the crowd her year has been awesome, attending about 40 events, mixers and ribbon cuttings out of the 12 she was required to make.
She held a blood drive and raised $3,600 to help a baby who needed an organ transplant.

“Just be yourself and let the judges see you,” Hammortree advised.

First runner-up was Sarah Cleveland, 17, sponsored by Ed’s Cheer Center. She is a senior at Sebring High School.

Cleveland would take over the duties of Miss Highlands County in case Wilson could not complete her term.

Fellow Sebring High School senior Ashley Boyce, 17, was second runner-up. Newsom Eye and Laser Center was her sponsor.

The third runner-up was Sarah Heston, 18, sponsored by Ace Hardware. She is also a Sebring High School senior.

And finally, the fourth runner-up was Chelsea Seignious, 17, sponsored by Central Contractors. She is a Lake Placid High School junior.

The pageant was coordinated by Christie Spiegel for eight years in a row with help from Dawn Zahller for the last three pageants.

Miss Photogenic was Brittany Townsend, 16, and Miss Congeniality was Jenny Bond, 16. Townsend is an Avon Park High School sophomore and Bond has been homeschooled and is performing at a 10th-grade level.

Spiegel said her goal is to help instill confidence and help the girls overcome their fears of appearing before and speaking to an audience and fear of the microphone.

“I hope everybody enjoyed the show and will come back and watch it in the future,” she said. “Miss Highlands County is wearing her crown and sash representing the Highlands County Fair Association.”

Spiegel had a few words of advice for Wilson.

“It’s up to her what she wants to make of it,” she said. “Wear it with pride and make the most of it.”

Among other gifts, Wilson won a $1,000 college scholarship, which she may also use if she chooses to compete for a state title, as well as a tiara, sash and silver tray, from the Highlands County Fair Association.

The first, second, third and fourth runners-up also win a tiara and silver tray from the Highlands County Fair Association, plus other gifts.