NEW BERLIN – The New Berlin Youth Days got off to a great start last night with the crowning of Miss Youth Days at the Unadilla Valley Central School. According to Youth Days Committee President Larissa Hanslmaier, the event will continue throughout the week, “rain or shine.”

“Hopefully, the great weather on Friday and Saturday will draw a big crowd and it looks like the skies are clearing now,” she said.

The Miss Youth Days pageant which, along with the entire event, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, was well received and drew quite a crowd. Organizer Sheila Randall said she was pleased with at the turnout and thought all of the girls were doing a wonderful job. Gene Chilion, who presided over the competition as master of ceremonies, also expressed his satisfaction with the girls’ performances.

“All of the girls have just done a wonderful job this year,” he said.

The pageant was split into three groups each with its own winner, first runner-up and second runner-up. Midian Ottoson was crowned Little Miss Youth Days which was the category for girls between 5-8, and Brooke Brown became Junior Miss Youth Days in the 9-12 category. Finally, in the 13-18 age group and the most anticipated award, Kiran Borst was crowned Miss Youth Days for the year 2011.