Springfield News-SunJessica HolbrookFriday, July 30, 2010Eight area girls received the royal treatment, complete with two days of shopping, pampering and presents, during a two-day visit from Miss Ohio.
Miss Ohio, Becky Minger, spent July 28 and 29 with eight Springfield 9- to 14-year-olds, as part of the Salvation Army’s “Red Carpet Experience.”
The two-day experience included a shopping spree at Old Navy, dinner at Young’s Dairy and a sleepover at the Courtyard by Marriott.The crowning event was front-row seats to a performance of “Cinderella” at LaComedia dinner theatre in Springboro.
The girls were driven to each location in a limo and kept in the dark about their destination until they arrived, making every stop a surprise, said Pastor Ray Ryan, Youth Minister for the Salvation Army.Local businesses volunteered time and resources , including the Styling Gallery which gave the girls a makeover complete with hairstyling, manicures makeup, said owner Joanna Krouse.
“We love doing this,” Krouse said. “(The girls) have a little more of a smile on their face.”The salon also provided pink goody bags and balloons for the girls, who chatted with Minger over chocolate cupcakes while they waited for their turn with a stylist.
The girls are part of the Salvation Army’s urban outreach program, Ryan said. The girls selected were the ones who would benefit the most from having the experience.“They need to know that people are behind them, cheering them on,” he said.
Springfield is one of the many stops on Minger’s journey to the Miss America pageant in January. She chose to participate in the experience because her platform focuses on self-esteem and self-empowerment.
“I’ve had so much fun,” she said. “It’s so wonderful seeing them enjoy themselves.”
For the girls, the experience does provide a needed self-esteem boost, Ryan said.“The message we want to spend is that they’re worth it, every penny,” he said.
[All photos by Marshall Gorby.]
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