Miss Hopatcong 2012

By George Leroy Hunter HOPATCONG — The 2012 Miss Hopatcong Pageant was held at Hopatcong High School on Friday, July 13. Eighteen-year-old Alexis Breheny was crowned this year's Miss Hopatcong. There was also a Junior Miss Hopatcong, a Little Miss Hopatcong and a Mini Miss Hopatcong category. Breheny's win qualifies her to compete in the Queen of the Fair contest in August at the Sussex County Fair Grounds. Breheny is a graduate of Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta. She will attend Saint Thomas Aquinas College in NY in the fall. Breheny is thinking about pursuing a career in teaching or business. "I've competed only one other time in a pageant and that was when I was little," said Breheny. "Recently I saw a sign in town advertising for girls to register for the Miss Hopatcong contest. On a hunch I decided to enter the contest and discussed it with my mother. My mother agreed I should compete and here I am." The pageant was organized by Kim Mott who was assisted by her daughter, Alexis, and Hopatcong Councilman John Young. The 2011 Miss Hopatcong winner, Carli Wolff, was also was on hand to assist. Almost 40 young ladies took part in this year's contest. Runner up to the Miss Hopatcong title was Bevin Birchenough, age 19. Leanne Grant, 18, finished in third place. Girls from 17 to 21 were eligible. Thirteen-year-old Gabby Harrison won the Junior Miss Hopatcong title. Brittany Stark, 14, was the runner up and Elizabeth Breheny, 13, finished in third place. Ten-year-old Anily Merino won the Little Miss Hopatcong title. Samantha Sohoman, 12, was the runner up. There was a tie for the third place slot between contestants Lily Berstler, 10, and Rebecca Lavery, 8. Seven-year-old Rose Berstler won the Mini Miss Hopatcong title. Nicole Kelly, 6, was the runner-up. Vanessa Kruczek, 7, finished in third place. Judges for the pageant were Anita Nowicki-Costello of Lafayette, Robin Miller of Rockaway Township, Carissa Palumbo of Wayne and Danielle VanKampen of Ramsey. Palumbo was awarded Miss Tri-County, a contest affiliated with the Miss America pageant. VanKampen was named New Jersey Miss Princess America.