Campers Hit the Runway in West Harrison Pageant

Some campers wore high-heels and dresses while others wore shorts and a t-shirt, but all wore smiles they walked down a makeshift fashion runway during the fourth year of the Mr. and Mrs. L.M.C.C. Pageant held Friday afternoon at the Mintzer Center in West Harrison.

About 20 campers hit the runway where they were judged in three categories and competed for prizes including candy bars, baseball tickets and gift certificates. Judges Anthony D'Alesandro, Mitch Gootnick and Amanda Passarella rated contestants for overall camp behavior, runway look and their responses to three questions.

"It's just something new for the summer," said L.M.C.C. Camp Director Rich Salerno. "It's good stuff."

The pageant has been held for four years now and is quickly becoming a favorite annual activity for campers. Then-counsellor Felicia Scavone thought of the idea as something new to keep everyone entertained during the summer and it has been an annual event ever since.

Every camper that wanted to walk was given a chance, others sat in stadium style seating around the runway, cheering on fellow campers.

"Getting to walk down the runway was fun and getting all dressed up," said seventh grader Luciana Gizzo, who went home with Hudson Valley Renegades tickets and a candy bar for her performance.

Contestants were asked to name their favorite counsellor and their favorite activity in camp. Almost every camper chose D'Alesandro or "Witt" as their favorite. Whether or not campers were trying to get on the judge's good side is unknown, but Steven D'Ippolito said his pick for favorite counsellor was heart-felt.

"I said Witt then 14 other people said him," said Steven, an eight grader. "People said him because he's funny."

Three boys and three girls were chosen as finalists at the end of the competition. Girls winners were Luciana, Jessica Ribeiro, a seventh grader, and Emily Murray, an eight grader. Boys winners were Steven, Chris Siapanides, a seventh grader and Oscar Terrana, a sixth grader.

Most of those who finished in the finals said they had participated in the pageant before and that the experience was helpful.

"When you are in sixth grade you don't know anyone," said Luciana. "Now it's more fun because you know everyone."

That experience proved valuable during the final question when campers were asked to impersonate a counsellor. This gave campers the chance to poke fun at someone who has watched over them throughout the summer.

Jessica and Chris were chosen out of the six finalists as this year's winners and were handed $25 gift certificates. But all of the finalists said that they were glad they participated this year.

"Seeing other people walk down was funny," said Oscar, one of the finalists. "I'm glad I did it."