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By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Sarah Finney said it feels “super special” to be named the 2024 Miss Akron 4th of July.

“I’ve never done a pageant before, so it feels really special to be chosen for that. It’s an honor,” she added.

Finney, 17, of Akron, topped two other competitors on Sunday night, June 30, at the Akron Community Center for the distinction. It was also her first time participating in a pageant, with Finney noting she might do another one in the future.

“I’m just super thankful, and I feel very honored,” she said.

Finney, the daughter of Scott and Shelly Finney, will start her senior year at Tippecanoe Valley High School in the fall.

Each contestant was asked an onstage question by 2023 Miss Akron Rachel Luce as part of the competition, with Sarah’s being: “Tell us about a time you made a mistake and how you grew from it.”

“I’ll use some tennis matches as an example,” said Sarah. “There have been matches before where I made a mistake on a shot and hit it into the net or hit it out, and it can be really frustrating, but you have to remember that you can’t win on every point and you move on.”

Sarah wore a fitted emerald green gown with sparkly appliques to answer the question. For her business attire, she donned an off-white blazer with black pants and nude pumps.

For her introductory outfit to showcase her personality and interests, Sarah wore a green TVHS T-shirt, TVHS girls’ tennis team skirt, green Converse shoes and cross earrings. She carried her late grandmother’s paintbrush and her dance shoes, showing her passions for art and dance.

Sarah plans to obtain her master’s degree in physical therapy in the future.

Finishing as first runner-up on Sunday was Madison Heinzmann.

Heinzmann, 19, who also won Miss Congeniality, is Stephen and Staci Heinzmann’s daughter.

She wore a fitted blue evening gown with a sweetheart top for her eveningwear.

For her business attire, Madison wore a gray sheath dress with a tie at the waist and nude slingback heels. Her introductory outfit included a Huntington University T-shirt, scrub pants and a stethoscope. She carried her softball glove.

Madison is studying nursing at Huntington University where the incoming sophomore plays softball.

Placing third Sunday was Brooklyne White.

White, 16, is the daughter of Christopher and Emily White and will be a TVHS junior in the fall.

She wore a nude A-line evening gown with a V-neck top and lavender overlay. Her business attire included a black skirt suit with a white top and black strappy sandals.

For her introductory outfit, Brooklyne donned her Habitat for Humanity T-shirt as she acts as the TVHS student representative for Fulton County Habitat for Humanity. She also wore her black cheer skirt and the whistle she uses for coaching Little League softball.

Brooklyne hopes to study nursing at Indiana University in Bloomington in the future.

Before the competition Sunday, the winners of the Akron Las Donas Club’s Penny-a-Vote Cute Baby Contest were announced. First place was Sawyer Madeford, the son of Devin and Kaylyn Madeford.

Second place was Liberty Daulton, the daughter of Krys and Paige Daulton, with third place Ella Gagnon, the daughter of Nick and Crystal Gagnon.

The Mr. Firecracker and Miss Sparkler contests were also held with Grant Clevenger and Camryn Yarian taking those titles respectively. Clevenger is the son of Zach and Shelby Clevenger and Yarian the daughter of Wes and Shelly Yarian.