Emma Podobinski, a 2023 graduate of Warrior Run High School was crowned the 2023 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen during this weekend’s coronation at Wellsboro Area High School’s auditorium.

According to a news release, Podobinski was awarded a $3,000 educational scholarship and is the daughter of Emily Ayers of Watsontown and Michael Podobinski of Clarks Summit.

First runner-up and Miss Montoursville Melody Rzeszotarski was awarded a $1,500 scholarship and second runner-up Miss Towanda Katherine West, a $1,000 scholarship. Because she was “friendly and helpful,” Miss Towanda was also named Miss Congeniality by a vote of the queen candidates and was awarded a $500 scholarship.

“It was such a surreal feeling hearing my name called as the Laurel Queen,” Podobinski said, according to the news release. “I was definitely surprised. I feel so honored and blessed to be queen this year.”

The queen coordinators took the 27 queen candidates on fun trips on Friday and Saturday so they could experience Wellsboro, according to Podobinski. Among them was a trip to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, near Wellsboro; another to eat dinner at the Penn-Wells Hotel and one to go on a walk around town to see shops and landmarks.

“When I had time to myself this weekend, I stopped by Laurel Festival vendor booths to see all of the amazing things being sold. It was cool to see queen candidate photos in all of the downtown store windows,” she said. “Spending time with the other candidates was joyful. We shared so many laughs together it was easy to make new friends. We created a group chat to use everyday to message each other. … The queen coordinators were also amazing. They were like our moms, always ready to help us pin our sashes or fix our dresses. The judges were also lovely to be around. We all shared many conversations with them.”

In July, Miss Podobinski is going on a mission trip abroad to Belize with her church, Community Mennonite Fellowship in Milton.

In August she plans to head to Houghton University in Houghton, New York, and major in communications with an emphasis on integrated marketing and a minor in literature.

Her career goal is to work for a publishing company, such as Penguin Teen, creating marketing materials to promote new book releases and graphic design skills learned in her major to make visually appealing book advertisements.

Miss Montoursville Melody Rzeszotarski was named first runner-up and awarded a $1,500 educational scholarship.

She is the daughter of Joy and Steven Rzeszotarski of Williamsport and will be a senior at Montoursville Area High School this fall.

“I was excited to make the top ten semi-finalists but when I heard ‘first runner up Miss Montoursville’ my jaw just dropped. The moment felt unreal.”

As a queen candidate, Rzeszotarski was busy with events and rehearsals but during free time stopped in at The Green and downtown stores.

“One of my favorite events was being in the parade on Saturday and getting to wave and see all of the smiling faces, especially the kids. Another was the concert during the preview Friday night. I went up and down the aisles clapping to the beat and dancing to get people to dance and have a good time. I also got to lead a huge dance line of the queen candidates,” said Rzeszotarski, according to the news release. “I am looking forward to planning some reunions with all of the candidates via our group chat.”

Upon graduating in 2024, she hopes to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., to study government and international relations. Her dream, the news release said, is to become a senator or a diplomat serving in Slavic countries’ embassies, using Russian as the prominent language of communication.

“This summer I plan to work on my Russian language studies and prepare for band camp at the beginning of August, which marks the start of my last year in high school,” Rzeszotarski said.

As a semi-finalist, she was asked if students can make a difference in politics before they are eligible to vote.

“I’m only 17 but I believe you can,” she said, according to the news release. “Volunteer to help with election activities and educate yourself on issues that are local, national and global. The world is larger than your small Pennsylvania town, Pennsylvania itself and our nation.”