By: Jeff Meade

There was a tiara. There was an overlarge bouquet. And, yes, there was scholarship money.

But that’s where the comparisons to the Miss America Pageant end. Because if you ask anyone who was in the crowd Sunday afternoon at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall in Hamilton Township, N.J., they would probably say that the 2007 Trenton Miss St. Patrick contest was much better than the Miss America contest.

Over the course of a late afternoon and early evening of fund-raising festivities at the AOH Hall, six exceptionally bright young women vied for the title. Of course, only one could win.

This year’s winner is Megan Elizabeth DiBiase, a senior at Hopewell Valley Regional High School and a dancer with the DeNogla School. She is also a volunteer at St. Francis Medical Center and is expected to enter the nursing program at Seton Hall next year.

Melissa Allison Mason of St. Joseph’s University was first runner up; Mary Elizabeth Harte of Notre Dame High School was second runner-up.

The winner earns a $3,000 scholarship.

Chairman of the Trenton parade committee Vince McKelvey played the Bert Parks role, serving as emcee.

The focal event of the fund-raiser was the contest, but the more than 200 loyal Trenton-area Irish folk who filled the hall found plenty of other activities to keep them busy—not the least of which included dancing to the music of McQ and Co.

There’s more fund-raising fun to come: “Shake Your Shamrock” Sunday, February 11, at KatManDu in Trenton. The event features live bands, DJs, prize giveaways and more. For details, call (609) 393-7300.