(Left to Right)
Lainey Smith, Haley Burns, Abbey Anderson, Emma Kirkbride (Queen), Maya Polen Lauren Rhodes
A queen and five royal ambassadors were selected during the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen & Royal Ambassadors Pageant on May 9, 2019. Selections were based on personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to the community. Leading the way as goodwill ambassadors and role models throughout the community are Queen Emma Kirkbride, and her Royal Ambassadors, Lainey Smith, Haley Burns, Abbey Anderson, Maya Polen, and Lauren Rhodes.
Emma Kirkbride, 19, was crowned the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen. Kirkbride is a student at Kent State University at Stark, studying broadcast journalism and communication. She works as a gymnastics and cheer coach at the North Canton YMCA Gymnastics Center. The new pageant queen is the daughter of Eric and Kelly Kirkbride.
The five Royal Ambassadors are:
- Lainey Smith, 18, who will be graduating from Archbishop Hoban High School, is the daughter of Jon and Meredith Smith.
- Lauren Rhodes, 19, a Hoover High School graduate and Kent State University student, is the daughter of Terry and Sandy Rhodes.
- Maya Polen, 18, who will be graduating from Perry High School, is the daughter of Beth and Todd Polen.
- Abbey Anderson, 19, a graduate of Louisville High School and student at Hiram College, is the daughter of James and Sherri Anderson.
- Haley Burns, 18, who will be graduating from Jackson High School, is the daughter of April and Brian Kerns.
The queen and court will be appearing at events during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival to serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors and to promote the welfare of the Stark County community while stressing the importance of volunteerism. The queen and royal ambassadors also will participate in activities with several local civic organizations.In additiona, the queen and royal ambassadors will help welcome the Class of 2019 members: Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Johnny Robinson, Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.
Photo/story from the Canton Repository