Two girls representing Pottsville were crowned princesses Saturday.
Lucy Murray, 16, was named Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival Snowflake Princess and Madison Eroh, 9, was crowned Snowdrop Princess during their coronation pageants at Pottsville Area High School.
Eroh, a third-grade student at John S. Clarke Elementary Center, raised her hands to her face when her name was called by Henry H. Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald and master of ceremonies.
She said she was not expecting to win but felt “awesome.” Eroh said she entered the contest because she thought it would be fun.
During the pageant, the girls had to answer a question on stage.
“Some people want to be a mountain climber. Some people want to be a magician. What do you want to be when you grow up?” Nyce asked Eroh.
She said she wanted to be a famous singer and a famous artist because they are her favorite hobbies. Her favorite singer is Taylor Swift and her favorite artist is Pablo Picasso.
Her advice to future Snowdrop Princess contestants is “try your best and be yourself.”
Twenty-eight girls competed for Snowdrop Princess this year. Along with Eroh, the other five finalists were Nora Stoyer, Ella Putalavage, Abriel Crawford, Abey Ann Eister and Julie Wychunas.
Murray, 16, a junior at Pottsville Area High School, said she was “really surprised” and cried she was named Snowflake Princess.
For her question, Nyce asked: “In the past, the Winter Carnival had a masquerade ball if you could attend the masquerade ball and wear any costume what costume would you choose?”
“I would wear a traditional Mardi Gras costume because I love the city of New Orleans,” she said.
Murray said she wants to attend Tulane University in New Orleans to study something in the science field.
Like the Snowdrops, there were 28 Snowflake Princess contestants. The six finalists were, from fifth to first runners-up, Bryel Frasch, Jocelyn Holobetz, Merideth Krewson, Isabelle McDonnell and Lauren Tidmore.
Her advice to prospective Snowflake Princesses is to participate in the carnival.
“I honestly didn’t believe I would make so many friends. It’s a good way to get out of your comfort zone,” she said.
This year’s Snowdrop and Snowflake princesses are connected in another way. Murray gives Eroh choreography lessons.
2014 Snowflake Princess Kara Pytko, Minersville, received the Billy Payne Scholarship.
The 2015 Winter Carnival ends with the Queen of the Snows Pageant at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Pottsville Area High School.