For the 17 area high school juniors competing for the title of the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival Snowflake Princess, Sunday's fashion show was about meeting life-long friends.
"I've had girls come back to me and say they are the maid of honor for a friend they met during these events," said Dee Boris, chairman of the Senior Princess Committee who was a spectator at the Snowflake event. "They meet girls from other high schools that really do become life-long friends."
Boris said the events also give the girls confidence and helps them with the ability to present in front of people.
"They learn good life lessons that they will use throughout all levels of their life," Boris said. "It's a really good community event and the girls enjoy representing their high schools."
Two girls can be chosen from each public and non-public area school for the competition. Finalists are chosen based on poise, personality, appearance and projection. A winner is then chosen after answering a final question during the pageant.
As the reigning Snowflake Princess, Olivia Massari, who represented Minersville Area High School, introduced this year's contestants as they took the floor at Pine View Acres, Pottsville, which was filled with their friends, family and fellow classmates.
"I finally got a chance to wear the dress that I've been waiting five months to wear," Morgan Allar, Minersville Area High School, said backstage.
This was some of the girls' second time competing in the Winter Carnival pageants. Rhonda Carl, Tri-Valley Area High School, said she also competed in the Snowdrop event.
"I did it before and I just enjoyed meeting new friends," Carl said.
Carla Abrachinsky, Mahanoy Area High School, said she plans on competing in the Senior Princess events as well.
"It's good for public speaking, it really gives you a lot of confidence," Abrachinsky said.
Kendall Peel, also representing Mahanoy Area High School, said it was a good way to get acquainted with the judges.
"I'm also making life-long friendships," Peel said.
Although not every contestant had the time to comment backstage before it was time to go on stage again, the girls wanted to make sure that their fellow contestants and new friends received equal recognition. They said that making new friends was the most important part of the contest for every contestant.