IN Peters Township August/September 2016 | Page 37

years did I think I’d end up in the top five in
my first pageant. It was so exciting.”
In the summer of 2015, she received a
letter from the Miss Teen USA pageant
program. “Basically, the program reaches
out to former contestants to see if they’re
interested in participating again,” says
Dolanch. “I was getting ready to start my
first semester at West Virginia University
and things were hectic at best. But there was
something about coming in fourth the year
before... I wanted to see if I could place any
better.”

Fast forward six months to December. As
Dolanch neared the end of her first semester
at college, the competition was being
held the weekend before finals. With the
pressure of studying and grades looming,
Dolanch gathered her competition gear and
once again competed for the title of Miss
Pennsylvania Teen.
“I had no idea of my chances,” she
says. “But I won! Not only did I surprise
my family, but I also surprised myself! I
could not believe it. Even now, to say I’m
the current Miss Pennsylvania Teen is
unbelievable.”
For the past six months, Dolanch has
been wearing her title with pride. “I’m so
happy and excited to be representing my
state in the upcoming Miss Teen USA
competition. It means so much to me.” On
July 30, she and 50 other teens traveled
to Las Vegas to compete for the national
title. The competition was held at the
Venetian Hotel and streamed live online at
missteenusa.com.
While Dolanch aspires to continue
reaching her pageant goals, she realizes she’s
already a winner. “I always try to compete to
the best of my ability and prove my worth
to everyone who’s supported me,” she says.
“I’ve already learned so much about myself:
how to walk gracefully and speak better in
public. Not bad for the shy, reserved person
I was just a couple of years ago.” n
Peters Township | August/September 2016 | icmags.com 35