ALLIANCE ‒ The auditorium fell silent, the spotlight frozen on the stage as the emcees prepared to read the name.
The four members of the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival’s court already had been revealed.
The six remaining members of the Top 10 stood at the edge of the stage in the Alliance High School auditorium, their gowns’ sequins sparkling. After a slight pause, the queen’s name was announced:
Brooke Fiegenschuh, 18, the daughter of Matthew and Denise Fiegenschuh of Alliance, was crowned the 2025 Greater Alliance Carnation Festival Queen.
The audience erupted into a thunderous applause, and Fiegenschuh gasped.
“I feel so amazing,” she said afterward. “I’ve grown up watching the pageant. It really means a lot to me that I get to be queen.”
Fiegenschuh, a 2025 Alliance High School graduate, was chosen from a group of 17 contestants. She was sponsored by Clothed In Righteousness, where she has volunteered.
“I think all the girls this year were great,” said Mike Slagle, co-founder of the nonprofit that helps homeless individuals and families in downtown Alliance.
Fiegenschuh’s court includes 1st Attendant Haley Morris, 2nd Attendant Avery Horning, 3rd Attendant Karlaysia West-Cole and Miss Congeniality Sophia Thomas.
“This has been a lifelong dream of mine,” Fiegenschuh said.
Fiegenschuh will attend University of Mount Union in the fall, with plans to study psychology. She currently works at Dudley’s G’s Pizza World in Damascus.
Once judges determined the event’s Top 10 competitors, each answered a question they had selected out of a basket. Fiegenschuh’s question asked for her favorite family tradition.
Without hesitation, she described her family’s Christmas morning rituals. She later explained that her family gets up at 6 a.m., says a prayer, unwraps gifts and enjoys the moment.
“With me and my brother both going to college, our whole family dynamic is changing because we are not living there,” she told the judges. “So this the one time we can all spend together.”
Farewell, O’Neal
Fiegenschuh succeeds 2024 queen O’Neal Everett.
Everett and her court of 1st Attendant Isabella Hall; 2nd Attendant Alexandria Ritchie; 3rd Attendant Sophia Ayers; and Miss Congeniality Lilyan Ronske said toward the end of the July 26 pageant. They also shared a video of moments from their experiences.
Surrounded by her court, Everett read a farewell speech. She thanked her family and friends, her court, sponsor, officials and the community.
“I realize that this moment is not about loss but about transition. My reign mat be ending, but the leadership and confidence I gained will guide me into every challenge that lies ahead,” Everett said.
Turning briefly to the 17 contestants on the stage behind her, Everett made a touching plea:
“Ladies, you are beautifully and wonderfully made, and I want you all to embrace that. No what happens on this stage today, let this reminder empower you to continue with life’s journey. Look at each other and remember all the times you have spent laughing and having a good time. Those moments are what truly matter.”
Fiegenschuh: ‘Out of my comfort zone’ to be in the pageant
Former Carnation queens Taylor Penird Baxter (2016) and Erica Kirksey Jackson (1999) emceed the 65th pageant. While three events already have happened, festival begins in earnest July 31 and ends Aug. 10.
Fiegenschuh said she took a risk, going “out my comfort zone” to enter the pageant and go through the candidate process. But it was worth the chance, she said.
“I don’t meet new people very often and go to new places by myself,” she said, “but I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ve really made some great friends.”
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘I feel so amazing.’ Brooke Fiegenschuh crowned 2025 Carnation Festival queen
Reporting by Benjamin Duer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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