Judges named for 2013 Peony Pageant

Peony Festival Pageant news

Judges and the master of ceremonies have been announced for the 2013 Peony Festival Pageant being held this evening at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium, starting at 7:30 p.m. Judges include Diana Varno, Lesa Wende, Randy Clark, and Rick Turner, while Ed Gebert will be the pageant emcee.

Varno is the owner of the Bridal Emporium in Wapakoneta, where she lives with husband, Greg. She has worked in the bridal industry for the past eight years and, in her spare time, enjoys boxing and working out at a local fitness center. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and her little Yorkshire terrier, Bear.

Wende resides in Lima with her husband, Jim, and their two daughters, Veronica and Lidija. She has been involved in the pageant world for over 15 years in many different pageant systems. Her daughters have won several awards during those years and, in 2009, Veronica was crowned Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen.

While her girls were growing up, Wende was a stay-at-home mom, school volunteer and Girl Scout leader. She is currently a trained ambassador with Lifeline of Ohio, a chapter of Donate Life, and has been volunteering with the Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program for the last four years. She is currently employed by Macy’s and the Hallmark Corporation.

Clark recently retired as the music director at New Bremen Local Schools, where he spent 30 years as the instrumental instructor for grades 5-12. He received both his Bachelor of Music Education (1975) and Master of Music Education (1976) degrees from Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky. While at Morehead State, he was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honorary organization and became a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, of which he is now a lifetime member. He is a also member of Phi Beta Mu, ASBDA, MENC and OMEA.

The New Bremen “Cardinal” Marching Band under his direc­tion made 23 straight appearances at state marching band finals, where they earned 22 consecutive superior ratings. In Class C, this is the longest consecutive streak in state march­ing band finals history.

He has been a very active member of OMEA, not only as serving as the state Adjudicated Events Committee Chair, but as Marching Band Affairs chair, Marching Band Adjudication chair, High School chair, Junior High/Middle School chair and other past chair positions over 18 years. His other OMEA activities include adjudicator for marching band, solo and ensemble as well as large group adjudicated events.

He is presently employed as a tour planner for Noteworthy Tours and as a member of the pro shop staff at Arrowhead Golf Club. He is married and he and his wife, Melinda, have two sons.

Turner is currently director of Adult Programs at Apollo Career Center, a position he has held since July 2005, and has 28 years of experience in providing technical skills training for high school and adult workforce education students.

He earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Dayton and a bachelor’s degree in vocational education from the University of Toledo.

Turner grew up in Wren and is a graduate of Crestview High School and Vantage Career Center. He currently resides in Elida with his wife, Theresa, and their three children.

Gebert is the editor at Times Bulletin Media in Van Wert. He was the winner of an Associated Press Award as “Best Columnist” for his Friday column and has worked at The Times-Bulletin since 2006. He is also the pastor of Mt. Victory United Brethren Church on State Line Road.

Gebert has a degree in telecommunications from Ball State University and a master’s degree in Christian ministry from Huntington (Ind.) University.

He spent 10 years working in the radio industry and 15 years running the family retail shirt business. He has three children: Devin, a junior at Bowling Green State University; Noah, a freshman at Bowling Green State University; and Aubrey, a fifth grader at Crestview Elementary School.

Pageant tickets are on sale at Derry Drugs in Van Wert for $8 until 3 p.m. today, while any remaining seats will be on sale at the door.  All seats are reserved. Doors open at 6:30 this evening.