Norvell makes Miss Kentucky Top 13

Courtney Norvell, the 20-year-old daughter of Patrick and Leah Norvell of Corbin, was one of 31 young ladies converging in Lexington on July 8th to begin their journey vying for the title of Miss Kentucky. After a week of appearances, it all came down to one thing – the competition for the crown.
The young woman selected as the new Miss Kentucky will become the official spokesperson for Kentucky Proud for the Department of Agriculture in Kentucky.
 On Wednesday afternoon, Courtney entered private interview with the panel of 5 judges. She was asked questions from current events, her platform issue, to issues facing her peer group. Courtney is proud to be a volunteer for the March of Dimes. As her platform issue, she has personally worked to secure funding as well as educating pregnant mothers about the need for good prenatal care. She also made blankets for the Birthing Center at Baptist Regional Hospital. In addition, she also raised funds for the Children’s Miracle Network (the platform issue for the Miss America Organization). 
 On Thursday evening, the onstage competition began. As the curtains of the Singletary Center for the Arts opened on the first night’s performance, the crowd was pumped. The young women took the stage in the Opening Production Number strutting their moves to the song “Moves Like Jaggar”. Then, the competition began. 
 Courtney’s first onstage competition was in Physical Fitness in Swimsuit followed by a presentation of her choice for Evening Gown. In both categories, she let her best light shine. When asked in interview to select her favorite part of the competition, she chose Swimsuit.  She said, “It is a way to display the healthy eating and lifestyle choices of the contestants.”
In evening gown, she showed her style and confidence as she was presented a flower by her Bluegrass Princess – Taylor Thomas from Middlesboro.
 On Friday night, Courtney’s onstage competition consisted of Talent presentation and Onstage Question. For talent, she chose to perform “When I Fall In Love.” One of her favorite genres is songs performed by the legendary Doris Day. Although she changed the song to become her rendition, the original version was that recorded by Doris Day in 1952. When asked why she chose this piece, she said, “It takes me back to a time when I was small, sitting on the couch beside my Dad, watching Doris Day on the television.”
 As Courtney took center stage to draw her question, she selected – Do you feel the government should provide healthcare for everyone?  Her reply, “No, I do not.  Although I do think that some parts of the Healthcare Reform are a step in the right direction, it is not the governments place to provide healthcare for everyone.  The part of the Healthcare Reform that will help college students like myself will be allowing them an option for coverage on  their parent’s insurance until the age of 26.”
Finals night was held on Saturday evening. As the auditorium filled with supporters of the contestants, the nerves backstage was increasing.  In a few minutes, the names of the Top 13 would be called. Twelve of the women would be selected based on their cumulative scores for the preliminary competitions.  The 13th young woman would be selected based on the “Peoples Choice” votes of friends, family and supporters.
 Standing onstage awaiting the names to be called, creates a tension in the air.  The second name called – Courtney Norvell – Miss Cumberland Falls.
Courtney rushes to take her place beside of the first contestant to learn that she had made the Elite 13.
 The finalists selected would all compete in Swimwear, Talent, and Evening Gown as their onstage competitions.  The remainder of the scoring would be a cumulative score from the Preliminary Competition.
 This was the second year that Courtney took the stage at the Miss Kentucky Pageant. But, the first year she made the Elite 13. Our congratulations to the young lady that represented the Tri-County Area at Miss Kentucky.  We know one day we will see her bringing the crown back home.
The 2013 Miss Cumberland Falls/Southeast Kentucky Scholarship Pageant will be held in November 2012 at the North Laurel High School in London.  For more information about this program – contact Susan Weaver at 606-309-1496.