Miss West Virginia Visits Stonewood as Firefighter’s Festival Crowns 2026 Royalty
STONEWOOD, W.Va. — Newly crowned Miss West Virginia Elizabeth Romanek made a stop in Harrison County last week, helping Stonewood celebrate a new group of local royalty during the Stonewood Firefighter’s Festival Children’s Pageant.
Romanek served as emcee for the July 31 pageant at the Stonewood Volunteer Fire Department, one of the opening events of the annual Stonewood Firefighter’s Festival. The children’s competition included seven divisions for boys and girls ages 9 and younger.
The pageant crowned Isla Estrada as Baby Miss, Haisley Blake as Mini Miss, Madelynn McCullough as Tiny Miss, Brooklynn Carpenter as Little Miss and Kelsie Batten as Junior Miss.
Creed Donaldson was crowned Little Mister Firefighter, while Canaan Coger was named Junior Mister Firefighter.
The Stonewood Firefighter’s Festival Pageant announced the results on Facebook, saying the seven children’s winners completed its 2026 “royal family.”
They join previously crowned Preteen Ava Grimes, Teen Madison Wileman, Ms. Imalisse Ramírez, Mrs. Leticia Lambert and Miss Hannah Wayne as members of the festival’s 2026 court.
Romanek said she enjoyed being part of the evening in Stonewood.
“I had the best time emceeing tonight’s pageant. Everyone was so kind and talented!” Romanek wrote on social media. “Congratulations to all the contestants. Thank you Stonewood for having me!”
The Harrison County appearance comes early in Romanek’s year representing the Mountain State. Romanek, who competed as Miss Morgantown, was crowned Miss West Virginia 2026 in June. She also earned preliminary talent and Wellness Ambassador awards during the state competition.
Romanek is a 2024 West Virginia University graduate who spent four years as a member of the WVU Dance Team. She currently serves as assistant director of admissions and recruitment events at Bethany College.
Her reign will soon take her to the national stage. Romanek will represent West Virginia at the upcoming Miss America competition in West Palm Beach, Florida. Competition events are scheduled from Aug. 28 through Sept. 6, with the next Miss America set to be crowned Sept. 6.
