Meet New Niagara County Peach Queen Amelia Faddoul

Reprinted with permission of Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel

Amelia Faddoul was crowned Peach Queen on Sept. 8, 2024, at the close of the 66^th annual Niagara County Peach Festival. The 20-year-old Niagara Falls resident is a Niagara University junior. With the win, she earns a $4,000 scholarship from the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston.

"It feels really great," Faddoul said after her victory lap and a series of photos with the queen's court.

"I wanted to get out there and spread my message. I advocated for adaptive school opportunities in Niagara County, and I am a firm believer - I have that tattooed on my back - 'Have courage and be kind.' And this took a lot of courage for me. So, I did it, and I was kind of myself, and I guess it paid off."

Upon winning the crown and scholarship, the peach queen spends her next year championing a cause, while also working with Kiwanians on community projects.

"I really want to go out and talk to schools," Faddoul said. "My stepbrother has autism, so it's super close to my heart. I really just want to be able to spread the message and create more opportunities for those with disabilities."

This year, 18 women vied for the title, a few more than the typical number of entrants.

"These were some of the kindest girls I've ever met," Faddoul said. "We really are all best friends, and I will forever be grateful that they made my year so awesome - and I can't wait for all of them to come back next year and make it another year of awesomeness."

Amelia is the daughter of Jill and Todd Faddoul and stepdaughter of Jessica Faddoul and Dave Gomesky. A sports management major, her hobbies include photography, traveling, reading, spending time with family, and helping others. She's also working toward a black belt in kickboxing.

Faddoul's resume includes vice president of the Sports Management Association, president of the commuter advocacy board, and a Circle K club member. She has volunteered at school sporting events, with new student orientation, as part of a suicide prevention walk, and for SABAH, the Salvation Army, and the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce's Lewiston Christmas parade.

"The scholarship money will go towards my schooling, No. 1; and No. 2, I want to use it to be able to spread my message, whether it is using the money to go to schools and whatnot, or travel and all that sort of stuff," Faddoul said.

As part of her pre-event interview,she noted, "After college, I want to work for a professional hockey and lacrosse team doing social media and communications. I also would like to run a nonprofit for children with disabilities to play sports."

Peach Queen scholarship program director/Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Paulysaid, "When I tell you our new peach queen already has a servant's heart, it's because of the dedication and service she has already shown since August as a contestant! The Lewiston Kiwanis Club is so fortunate to have Amelia as the Niagara County peach queen for the year. While the volunteer events were not mandatory and did not count as points towards scoring, Amelia was at every service event we scheduled, as well as the extra opportunities to serve.

"The contestants truly became friends through the program and I know they are all supportive of her, and it showed in her crowning moment as they all could not wait to give her a hug!"

First runner-up was 19-year-old Meghan DePadre of Wheatfield, an aerospace and mechanical engineering student at the University at Buffalo.

The rest of the top five included 19-year-old Isabelle Frankovitch of Lewiston, 17-year-old Kendall Arbatosky of Niagara Falls, and 18-year-old Aryonna Nablo of Niagara Falls.

This year's Jeanette Collesano Bright Star Award was presented to 19-year-old Ella Orzolick of Wheatfield. This honor is given to a non-finalist who embraces the competition, as determined by the pageant committee.

20-year-old Hannah Sherman of North Tonawanda became the first repeat Tara Laurie Miss Congeniality Award-winner, as voted by her fellow candidates.

Outgoing Peach Queen Kirsten Ferree completed her year of service and thanked the committee, the Kiwanis Club, her family and friends.

WGRZ-TV Channel 2 news anchor and Niagara University alumna Maryalice Demler served as mistress of ceremonies and conducted on-stage interviews with Peach Blossom Korra Onevelo and Peach Fuzz William Michael. Ferree escorted them across the stage for their big moment in the spotlight.