Miss Independence crowned in Monroeville

Winners were announced at the annual Miss Independence Luncheon on June 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Monroeville.

Finalists in this year’s scholarship contest were Michelina Estremera, Mallory Brown, Jayla Chase, McKenna Brown, Shanyn Mitchell, Hailie Ramey and Peyton Jones. Jayla Chase was named Miss Independence and McKenna Brown, runner-up.

Chase, 16, is happy to be able to carry on a family tradition, as Livia Chase, her sister, is a previous scholarship recipient.

“It’s a great honor,” Jayla said. “I really wanted to participate in Miss Independence because my sister was the winner in 2018, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps because she’s such a great role model.”

At Gateway High School, Jayla is a member of the National Honor Society, Distinguished Honor Roll, Pennsylvania Music Education Association, AIM Gifted Program, Interact Club, and Winter Percussion Ensemble, and is a Gateway High School Marching Band section leader.

She has been the student director of Larry Cervi’s East End Kids and a cast member of Gateway spring musicals, including this year’s production of “Mamma Mia.”

Chase has her eye on a career in medicine and is exploring the fields of psychiatry, naturopathic or osteopathic medicine.

Miss Independence and the 2023 Court will ride in Monroeville’s Fourth of July parade, during which Chase will read her winning essay.

Last year’s scholarship winner, Lindsey Storey, was present at the luncheon to crown Chase.

“I loved being Miss Independence. I got to meet so many great people,” Storey said.

The Monroeville Independence Day Committee presented this year’s contest, which has been a staple of the community since 1964. To qualify, an applicant must be a Monroeville or Pitcairn resident, finishing her junior year at Gateway High School or attending a private school outside the school district.

Five business and community leaders make up the panel of judges. Judging is based on personality, sense of values, decision-making ability, poise, and a written essay. This year’s candidates wrote an essay responding to a prompt about what divides and unites America.

In each of these categories, candidates are rated on a numeric scale. All scores are totaled, and the candidate earning the most points is named Miss Independence.

The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and the runner-up, a $350 scholarship. All contestants receive gift bags with items sponsored by local businesses.