The moment 16 young princesses participating in the 45th Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival had been waiting for arrived Saturday night as the Snowflake Princess was crowned.
Holly Parrish, 17, of Schuylkill Haven, took home the title before a packed crowd in the Robert W. Wachter Auditorium at Pottsville Area High School.
"I'm feeling absolutely wonderful. I'm in shock right now. I just can't believe this moment right now, probably like the best feeling I ever had," she said while standing on stage.
Competing against young women from high schools throughout the county, Parrish attends Schuylkill Haven Area High School and wants to major in biochemistry after high school or become an Air Force nurse.
Henry H. Nyce, publisher of the Republican Herald, was the Master of Ceremonies for the coronation pageant.
As part of the show, the girls seeking to gain the coveted title performed as a group dancing with sequined blouses and black slacks.
Local talent Reiley Lonergan, Minersville, provided entertainment by singing songs from various Broadway shows including "The Sound of Music," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Annie."
Eight judges narrowed down the finalists to eight, who where then asked by Nyce what city they wanted to visit and why.
Paris, France, was the most popular choice as three finalists wish to visit the iconic city. Other selections included Chicago, Miami, Nashville, Boston and Salzburg, Austria, the answer given by Parrish who said "The Sound of Music" was one of her favorite movies.
2011 Snowflake Princess Olivia Massari, whose voice quivered at times, spoke of the friends she made while participating in the event.
Massari also received the $1,000 Billie Payne Scholarship. The award is meant to further her education after high school. Massari plans to attend Penn State, University Park, and major in biology.
Rhonda Carl, Tri-Valley, received the Miss Congeniality award and was named first runner-up.
