Miss Butler County crowned by mother, a former Miss Butler County
In her childhood, Annie Rieg would put on the crown her mother won in the 1992 Miss Butler County pageant. In November, it was Rieg’s mother, Marianne Brash-Rieg, who placed the crown on top of her head, passing on the title of Miss Butler County to its newest representative.
Rieg, of Greensburg, said the moment was one she dreamed of since she was a child because of her family history in the pageant.
“My mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were judges for (the) Miss Pennsylvania organization,” Rieg said. “(My mom) was Top 10 in Miss Pennsylvania in 1992. I’ve won a few pageants in Butler, so it’s a cool full-circle time.”
Miss Butler County is a competition sanctioned by the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation. Winners of each competition can go on to compete at the Miss Pennsylvania competition in June. The winner of that competition moves on to compete at the Miss America competition, which will be in September. Only the winner of Miss Pennsylvania can compete for Miss America.
Rieg is no stranger to the Miss Pennsylvania competition, having competed last year, representing Juniata County.
She is a graduate of PennWest California, formerly California University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to attend graduate school to major in a science or biology program. Additionally, Rieg works as an executive administrative assistant for the Center for Organ Recovery & Education: CORE, a job that she said plays into her role in the pageant world.
Being a pageant titleholder gives Rieg a chance to promote CORE, which she has made her community service initiative — a necessary project for pageant competitors.
“It allows me to combine my career, my purpose and my passions,” Rieg said of representing Butler County.
The Miss Butler County pageant took place in November, alongside the Miss Moraine State competition. The teen versions of each, which are meant for youths ages 14 to 18, were held during the same period.
The pageants involve contestants providing a 10-minute private interview, answering onstage questions, as well as fitness, talent and evening gown competitions.
Rieg’s talent at pageants has remained baton twirling, which has been her sport since she was young. She was on the USA Twirling team in 2020. She would have traveled to Holland to compete that year if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said her mother owned a dance school where she helped teach lessons, including in baton, and Rieg still finds joy in the activity.
“Baton is my stress reliever,” she said. “I competed most of my life … I absolutely love it.”
The interview portions of the pageant competition give Rieg the chance to talk about CORE and her work with the federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization.
Rieg said she has “experienced all sides of organ donation,” and began advocating for the organization when she was 13 years old. She learned about the organization because of family circumstances and kept working with it because of the work it does and the people it helps.
“When I was 12, my other grandfather passed away while on the wait list,” Rieg said. “My friend was on the list, and she passed away from rejection. My little cousin had a bone-marrow transplant, and he’s a thriving 4-year-old now.”
Rieg said she and her family also run the Miss Little Italy pageant each year, which takes place at Little Italy Days in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood, further tying her into the world of pageantry.
Kathy Bray, co-executive director of the Miss Butler County organization, said the community service initiative is an important part of pageant competitions. A contestant needs to know a lot about their chosen project and be able to explain to the judges what they have done to serve the project and the impact they have made.
“This is something they are personally committed to and something they will go on in after they are done with their titles,” Bray said. “Annie’s a wonder, she works really hard for her organ donation community service initiative.”
Rieg said winning pageants has led to more opportunities for her to work and advocate for CORE, because she can make public appearances as Miss Butler County at its events and initiatives. She also speaks directly with clients and families who are going through the organ donation and transplant process.
“My work, it completely supports what I've been doing in Butler, so they were able to open the doors,” she said. “It’s really rewarding and just helping comfort grieving families. I can help comfort others.”
Bray contended that Rieg and Camryn Sacco, who is representing Miss Moraine State, have a good chance to win the title of Miss Pennsylvania.
“They are smart girls and the only guidance is getting them ready for states,” Bray said. “Their wardrobe, we have to see that first. Because we’ve been doing this so long, we know what works at states.”
Judy Hughes, co-executive director of the Miss Butler County organization, and Bray emphasized the pageant competitions are scholarship opportunities, and contestants are not only competing to be titleholders, but for money that can be put toward a college education. Rieg said the money she won in the pageant will help her pursue graduate school.
Rieg is lining up more public appearances as Miss Butler County to take place over the next few months, which help build her experience in preparation for the Miss Pennsylvania competition. April is Donate Life Month, which she said will be a good opportunity to promote CORE and its mission.
Rieg said one of the best parts of being a pageant titleholder is having the leverage to attend community events and promote causes important to her. She said she is looking forward to representing Butler County for the rest of the year.
“It gives you an opportunity to present your platform,” Rieg said. “It keeps you focused for everyday experiences.”
