Phoenixville Jaycees Crown 2012 Dogwood Queen

Phoenixville High School junior Carrie Hytha was crowned the 2012 Dogwood Queen at Saturday night's pageant at Barkley Elementary School. 

For the first time in history, there was a tie for first runner-up, with Danielle DiGirolomo and Logan Cuthbert sharing the place. Emcee Alan Hughes hosted the pageant again this year. 

All six contestants are juniors, five from Phoenixville Area High School and one from the Renaissance Academy Charter School.

The pageant consisted of a personality promenade, with each contestant representing a city in the US. There were also talent, evening gown, and interview portions of the competition.

This year's judges were Carla Kramer, Miandabu Mbuy, and Kellie Taylor Stevenson.

Eventual winner Hytha belted out "Cruella De Vil" from the Disney film 101 Dalmatians, playing the introduction on piano, while Elisa Khan performed a Bollywood dance, dressed in a beautifully embroidered red and blue sari.

Alexandra Schmidt performed an essay she wrote on love and baking. Danielle DiGirolomo showcased a self-penned comedy routine. Logan Cuthbert played guitar and sang Kenny Loggins' "Back to Pooh Corner". 

Meghan Coccia showed off her fast-pitch softball skills, firing off several pitches into a net across the stage and explaining each one as she went.

"And this is how we beat Spring-Ford," she said before letting fly with a perfect strike.

The interview segment had Hughes asking each contestant three questions.

2011 Dogwood Queen Courtney Wieland spoke about her year as queen and the work she did with the Phoenixville Jaycees.

The project closest to her heart, Wieland said, was a fundraiser for local girl Gabby Vogel, who lost her battle with brain cancer last year. 

Three awards were then presented before the winner was named.

Elisa Khan won the Angie Jaworski Miss Congeniality Award, voted on by the other contestants.

Logan Cuthbert was presented the Directors' Leadership Award, for her dedication to the pageant over the last few months.

Danielle DiGirolomo won the Outstanding Talent award, given by the judges, for her comedy routine.