Crown down, cups up

The 18-year-old was crowned the previous Friday evening as Queen of the 33rd Scallop Days festival.

Courtney Elliott was chosen first lady-in-waiting, while Katelyn Chute was both second lady-in-waiting and Miss Congeniality.

The theatre of Digby Regional High School was filled for the coronation, which saw seven recent graduates view for the crown, including Kelly Thompson, Lauren Stark, Casie Tidd and Samantha Oliver. While each of them had beauty pageant good looks, the judges based their decision on the poise and oratorical ability of the teens.

Contestants had personal interviews with each of the judges, fielded impromptu questions at the Tideview Terrace tea on Thursday, and presented both a prepared speech and short impromptu speech at the coronation.

Sarty told the crowd a bit about herself. The honour student loves math, and will major in commerce at Saint Mary’s University in the fall. She’s an athlete and played on her school’s volleyball and softball teams.

The daughter of Leslie Eavis and the late Carol Dawn Eavis is also a black belt in karate, a sport she became involved in at the age of five. She earned her black belt a year ago.

Sarty says martial arts has provided her with opportunities to travel and meet new people. In 2006, as a member of the Nova Scotia team, she competed in the national championship in Newfoundland.

The new Scallop Queen says she had two reasons for entering the competition. Her co-workers at Tim Horton’s in Conway really wanted her to enter, and her best friends Lauren Stark and Courtney Elliott, both princesses this year, encouraged her as well.

The seven princesses began their week Aug. 4 by riding in the Natal Day parade in Annapolis with Apple Blossom Festival queen Amanda Walker of Digby, who was also the out-going Scallop Days queen.

Sarty says the Digby parade was more enjoyable for her. The nerve-wracking competition was behind her, and in the crowds that lined the streets she saw many faces of friends and neighbours.

As queen, Chaylene Sarty received a $1,000 scholarship that will be applied to her university tuition. Each of the seven princesses also received bags loaded with gifts from local businesses.

Sarty was crowned by 2007 queen Amanda Walker who, while she was relinquishing one tiara, Walker will wear the Apple Blossom Festival crown until next May. Walker is also thinking about competing next year in the Miss Canada International pageant.