GALLIPOLIS — Michaela Drummond was chosen the 2009 Junior Miss of the Gallipolis River Recreation Festival on Thursday.

She was among seven contestants for the title, which was relinquished to her at the end of the annual pageant by 2008 Junior Miss Maddison Maynard.

The daughter of Mike and Danielle Drummond of Gallipolis, Drummond is an eighth grader at Gallia Academy High School and is active in 4-H, raising market hogs and angora rabbits, cheerleading, softball, choir, Relay For Life and swimming.

In her on-stage interview with master of ceremonies Melvin Biars, Drummond said in response to a question that her role model is her father, whom she described as a “hard-working man.”

Chosen as runner-up for Junior Miss was Olivia Rees, daughter of Dean and Amee Rees of Rio Grande and a seventh grader at GAHS.

Her activities and hobbies include 4-H, showing pigs, basketball and volleyball, participating on the swim team and taking art classes.

In her interview on stage, Rees discussed how raising market hogs is a family activity and “just really fun.” Asked what the biggest challenge now faced by young people, she said it was “trying to fit in.”

“People should be themselves. They are happier when they are themselves,” she said.

Both she and Drummond are the recipients of savings bonds from Farmers Bank and Savings Co.

Other contestants included Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Mark and Kim Thompson of Gallipolis and an eighth grader at GAHS; Kaela Shaw, daughter of Russell and Karen Shaw of Bidwell and a seventh grader at River Valley Middle School; Kayla Pope, daughter of Phillip and Christina Pope of Gallipolis and an eighth grader at RVMS; Darian Miller, daughter of David and Melinda Miller of Gallipolis and a seventh grader at GAHS; and Amy Ours, daughter of Max and Julie Ours of Gallipolis and an eighth grader at Ohio Valley Christian School.

Major sponsor of the pageant was Peoples Bank.