The four newest members of the 2014 Barnum Festival Royal Family were selected Sunday, May 4 at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.
The royal court will play a key role in the 66th Barnum Festival, the annual salute to the life and achievements of P.T. Barnum, world famous entrepreneur and former mayor of Bridgeport.
The King and Queen competition was sponsored by The Bridgeport Hospital Foundation. The Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation will provide scholarships to the Royal Court.
This year’s king is Benjamin Slowik of Derby High School. Monica Gorton of Bunnell High School in Stratford was crowned queen.
Shaun Hershier of Harding High School in Bridgeport and Andrea Albarella of Derby High School were named prince and princess.
The new royal family was chosen from a pool of 30 applicants from high schools in greater Bridgeport.
“P.T. Barnum prided himself in nurturing young people to the call of civic duty, entrepreneurship and helping neighbors,” says 2014 Barnum Festival Ringmaster Paul Timpanelli, chief executive officer of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. “It’s inspiring to participate in the bright future of our leaders of tomorrow.”
“Regional diversity is one of the driving forces in the success of the competition,” says Barnum Festival Executive Director Elaine Ficarra. “P.T. Barnum and his talented discoveries performed in front of royalty so it’s in keeping with the Barnum tradition to showcase regional talent.”
The contestants were interviewed by a panel of judges who chose the winners based on their records of academic leadership, enthusiasm and social skills. The judges were Karen DelVecchio, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Carmen Colon, executive director of Alpha Community Services, YMCA, Deborah Thomas-Sims, representing the City of Bridgeport and Shawna Hall, Bridgeport Hospital Employee of the year.
Barnum was one of the founders of Bridgeport Hospital.
The King and Queen competition includes the solicitation of schools in the Bridgeport region to provide one candidate for King and one candidate for Queen. Candidates must be from the Junior class (11th grade), scholastically in the upper 5th of their class, demonstrate solid leadership abilities, and develop alliances necessary to achieve goals, as well as support fellow students in their academic, non-academic, and/or social endeavors.
The judges consider the participation of the candidate in their own school clubs and organizations as well as their participation in local community organizations.
The extracurricular activities of the candidates are also considered, such as musical groups (bands, orchestra, choral groups, etc.) sports activities (teams, intramural, etc.) and other groups.
About The Barnum Festival
The Barnum Festival was established in 1948 to celebrate the life and times of P.T. Barnum and to commemorate the history of Bridgeport. The Barnum Festival is dedicated to providing exciting family entertainment which enriches the community, embraces diversity and celebrates life. Events produced through the passion of our volunteers brings to the community the Champions on Parade, The Wing Ding Parade for Children, The “Got Talent” Vocal Competition, a spectacular fireworks display at Seaside Park and The Great Street Parade. For more information, please visit www.barnumfestival.com or call 203 – 367-8495.
