The 2006 Queen Genevieve Candidates
How We Choose Our Queen Genevieve
This spring, posters and newspaper announcements were distributed throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley inviting candidates, ages 17 to 22 years of age, to participate for the opportunity to earn scholarship money toward college.
The decision of who will be Queen Genevieve is made by a panel of judges at the scholarship pageant and their scores are tabulated by a local accounting firm. The pageant will be held at Washington State Community College’s Auditorium, Saturday, August 23, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. The selection of Queen Genevieve will be announced at the Coronation Ceremony, September 6, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. on the barge on the levee.
The Queen’s candidates are enrolled in an accredited educational institution. We are pleased to be able to award the winner a $1,750 scholarship, 1st runner-up a $750 scholarship, 2nd runner-up a $500 scholarship and two $500 scholarships to be used at Washington State Community College, for a total of $4,000 in scholarship money.
We wish to thank all the businesses that make this possible by their contributions.
FORMER QUEEN GENEVIEVES:
2000 - 2007: 2007 - Nicole Erb, Beverly, OH; 2006 - Amber Braeshear; 2005 - Jessica Wiseman, Marietta, OH; 2004 - Leigh Ann Buzzard, Marietta, OH; 2003 - Stefanie Sexton, Belpre, OH; 2002 - Melissa Lang, Marietta, OH; 2001 - Wendy Edgar, Newport, OH; 2000 - Stacie Locke, St. Marys, WV.
1990 - 1999: 1999 - Mary Beth Varney, Ravenswood, WV; 1998 - Erin L. Humphrey, Coolville, OH; 1997 - Angela Haynes, Belpre, OH; 1996 - Molly Jane Roth, Walker, WV; 1995 - Karen Briley, Marietta, OH; 1994 - Barbara Cunningham, Belpre, OH; 1993 - Melissa Seevers, Marietta, OH; 1992 - Melissa Dailey, St. Marys, WV; 1991 - Melissa Vernon, Marietta, OH; 1990 - Amy Anderson, Caldwell, OH.
1980 - 1989: 1989 - Stephanie Beatty, Marietta, OH; 1988 - Patricia Annette Fore, Coolville, OH; 1987 - Michelle Fouss, McConnelsville, OH; 1986 - Lisa A. Curry; Williamstown, WV; 1985 - Melissa Giannamore, Steubenville, OH; 1984 - Kim Cutlip, Parkersburg, WV; 1983 - Stephanie Van Vranken, Henderson, WV; 1982 - Lynn Blair, Parkersburg, WV; 1981 - Debra Lawrence, Vienna, WV; 1980 - Karen Bodo - Steubenville, OH.
1976 - 1979: 1979 - Denise McDaniel, Marietta, OH; 1978 - Lee Ann Flower, St. Marys, WV; 1977 - Denise Roll, Chandlersville, OH; 1976 - Pam Whetsell, Marietta, OH.
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Reigning queen ready to give up crown, Sternwheel pageant a tradition
By Erin E. O'Neill, eoneill@mariettatimes.com, Published August 18, 2008, Marietta Times 
Nicole Erb, center, reacts when she is chosen as Queen Genevieve for the 2007 Ohio River Sternwheel Festival. Times file photo.
It's almost time again for the annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival which includes music, food, fireworks and the Queen Genevieve pageant.
Nicole Erb represented Beverly last year and was chosen from among eight candidates between the ages of 17 and 22 from all over the Mid-Ohio Valley.
The decision of who will be crowned Queen Genevieve is made by a panel of judges at the scholarship pageant, and their scores are tabulated by a local accounting firm. This year's pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Washington State Community College's Graham Auditorium. The selection of Queen Genevieve will be announced at the coronation ceremony Sept. 6.
Question: How did you learn about the Queen Genevieve pageant and what was the process like to apply?
Answer: When I was little, I always went to the Sternwheel Festival and I knew about the pageant. I knew it was a scholarship pageant, and I thought it would be a great opportunity.
So I went online and filled out an application, which asked you to write a bio including your goals in life and your achievements. Then there was an interview process with the judges, an evening gown competition and an onstage interview.
I think I did my best in the personal interview. It gave me an opportunity to show my personality and to show I was confident in representing the Sternwheel Festival and Marietta.
Q: On your application you had to name your ambition in life. What did you say and has it changed?
A: Well I finished one of them which was to complete my biology degree, and I'm going on to the next one. But it really hasn't changed. I didn't list just one ambition because I always hope to do more and more with my life.
Q: What are some of the perks of having the title? How much is the scholarship?
A: I won $1,750 and I won a resume competition for Washington State which was $500, so I was awarded $2,250 in all. That's almost a whole year (in tuition) at Washington State so that was great.
We also got to go on the boats and I watched the fireworks from a sternwheeler, which was great. I was also in a lot of parades, and I just judged the Little Miss and Mr. Belpre contest last weekend.
Q: What have some of your duties been and what have been some of your favorites?
A: I really enjoyed judging the Little Miss and Mr. pageant. It was hysterical, really fun. I've also enjoyed speaking on behalf of the Sternwheel Festival. I have a good sense of community, and I love Marietta.
Q: What will your role be in this year's Sternwheel Festival?
A: I'm going to emcee the Little Miss and Mr. Sternwheel pageant and attend the Captains' Dinner. But really I'm just going to support the girls because they may have a lot of questions about how things work.
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FACT BOX:
Nicole Erb
Age: 23
Address: Represented Beverly in 2007 pageant, now lives in Coolville.
Family: Parents, Dennis and Charlene; younger brother, Jared
Education: Graduated from Washington State with an associate of science degree in biology; currently in her second year of the medical laboratory technician program
- The 2008 Queen Genevieve pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Washington State Community College's Graham Auditorium. The selection of Queen Genevieve will be announced at the coronation ceremony Sept. 6 at the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival.
- For more information: www.ohioriversternwheelfestival.org