Friday night, 36 girls throughout the area competed in this year's Miss Shining Star Pageant. Its the third year the Harborcreek community has put on the event.
For these girls, it was all about taking center stage, and showing their talents and best evening year, and being able to be with their friends.
"They love it," said Elizabeth Beckman, coach of the Millcreek Adaptive Cheer Squad. "Its a chance to get all glammed up and all dolled up and kind of show off a little bit, do a talent, show off in a nice evening gown. Who wouldn't love that?"
This pageant was created by former Harbor Creek student Kait King. It began as a fundraiser, and now King is starting her own non-profit called Ever So Lovely.
"Having special needs, sometimes not everyone is accepting," said Harbor Creek School District Teacher Julie Gillespie. "Often times Kait was frustrated and just wanted a night where these girls are accepted, loved 100%, cheered for, as you can here in the background here."
Emily Mellish has competed in the pageant two years in a row. Both her and her mom Joy say this is one the most fun and exciting nights of their year.
"She just loves to perform," said Joy Mellish. "I just think this is the coolest thing in the whole community, for them to put this together and give these girls such a wonderful night. She looks forward to it all year and to see all the smiles, its amazing."
"I did it last year, too," said Emily Mellish. "I just like to give people my smile."
This year's winners were Karleigh Tromans for Best Performance, Hannah Boccio for Most Confident and Alena Brannan won the title of Brightest Smile.
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