2010 Miss Clarion River Valley Pageant Staff

Laura C. King, Executive Director

As a competitor in The Miss Pennsylvania/America Scholarship Pageant, Laura’s platform focus was the March of Dimes. Today, she is the Senior Community Director for the Northwest Pennsylvania Division of the March of Dimes. Laura is a graduate of Clarion University and has a B.A. in Liberal Arts. She has had extensive training in both Voice and Dance . Laura has performed in an array of events and functions throughout the state of Pennsylvania and beyond. Her favorite performance to date was participating in Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional in Orlando Florida. Laura's passion for performing and directing Musical Theatre Productions has given her the opportunity to be involved in a long list of shows ranging from Brigadoon to Disney’s High School Musical. As a judge for many local and state Miss America Preliminary pageants in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, Laura is dedicated to the Miss America system and all it has to offer young women. Laura is thrilled to be Co-Executive Director of the Miss Clarion River Valley Scholarship pageant. Ms. King resides in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Zachary S. Covington, Executive Director

 Zachary earned a B.S. Ed. in Music Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in voice, and is currently completing graduate studies in Choral Conducting from Indiana University of PA.  He has studied voice with Dr. John McLean, Mr. Milutin Lazich, Dr. Robert McIver, and currently studies with Ms. Mary Catherine Dykhouse, professor of voice at Point Park Conservatory in Pittsburgh.  He has also received additional training in music education and choral conducting from The Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester.  Zachary has taught vocal and general music to grades Pre-school through 12, as well as post-baccalaureate and continuing education classes in music education.  Mr. Covington is a member of several state, regional and national professional music organizations, and has performed and presented at various state and national conferences through the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and The American Orff-Schülwerk Association.  Zachary owns and operates Covington Performing Arts Studio in Clarion.  His private students have included Miss Pennsylvania contestants, music scholarship winners and Broadway performers.  Zachary and is also an active performer in the Western PA area.

Mr. Covington is the Assistant Director of the Clarion Community Choir, and also performs and directs musical theater productions on a regular basis in Jefferson, Clarion and Venango Counties.  Zachary is a certified judge through the Miss America Organization, and is a Co-Executive Director of the Miss Clarion River Valley Scholarship Pageant, which will hold its debut pageant in January 2010.  He is the Director of Choirs and Musical Theater for Clarion Area School District, and resides in Clarion, PA.

Mary E. Brooks, Board President

Mary Brooks holds degrees in Business Administration from New Castle Business College and Clarion University of PA.   She has worked in the accounting profession for over 30 years, working in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and State College and Clarion, PA.  In addition, Ms. Brooks has an extensive music background as an accomplished accompanist and organ recitalist.  She often accompanies community theatres in the area, college and professional recitals, and church and community choirs.  Ms. Brooks has been the organist for the First United Methodist Church in Clarion for 34 years.  She has also accompanied numerous pageant contestants over the years.  

Mary is a Certified Public Accountant and is a partner in the CPA firm of Brooks & Rhoads in Clarion, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Brooks is excited to be a founding member of the Miss Clarion River Valley Scholarship Pageant and is looking forward to working with the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization.

Nancy Carmichael, Judge's Chair

Nancy Carmichael has been involved with pageantry since 1994, serving in the capacities of local pageant director and producer for Cookie Daze's Little Miss Sugar Cookie competition in her hometown of Rimersburg, PA.    In addition to being involved with her local Community Theater, she volunteers for many activities, including serving as the Co-Director of the Miss Teen Autumn Leaf Festival Scholarship Pageant in Clarion County.  She and her husband, Alan, reside in Rimersburg, PA.  Mrs. Carmichael is excited to be a founding member of the Miss Clarion River Valley Scholarship Pageant.