On Sunday, July 18, twenty-year-old Amanda Lubniewski of Middletown, New York, came away with the title of Ms. Monticello Raceway 2010

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Along with the title, Lubniewski won the $5,000 first-place prize money when a panel of six judges selected her over the 16 others in Monticello’s 18th edition of the annual pageant.

In what turned out to be one of the most tightly-contested editions of the pageant, Bridget Clark, 21, of Middletown, NY, was the first runner-up.

Ashley Lellek, 19, of Pine Bush, NY, and Courtney Neal, 19, of Mountaindale, NY dead-heated for third-place.

Clark received $1,500. Lellek and Neal each received $1,000.

Again, for the tenth consecutive season, the beauty pageant was sponsored by sportsman and prominent horse owner Larry Roman, who also served as the pageant’s master of ceremonies. Though advertised as a $3,500 top prize, before the pageant got underway, Roman, in a magnanimous gesture, added $1,500 more for the winner.

Always a spectacle, the pageant was again run in conjunction with the racing program, which made it an enjoyable day for the fans in attendance.

Amanda Lubniewski is a 5’9”, 128-pound, hazel-eyed brunette, and a 2008 graduate of Middletown High School. She is attending the University of Buffalo and is studying Spanish and early education.

For Lubniewski, the second time around that was a charm. Last year she was one of the 12 finalists and now has ascended to the throne.

“At first I wasn’t going to enter this year but then I decided 'why not,'” said Lubniewski. “I couldn’t be happier; I never experienced anything like this in my life; it’s overwhelming and so nice. There were so many pretty girls this year and I’m still stunned that I won.”

Asked what she plans to do with the $5,000, Lubniewski quickly replied that the money will go toward her education. “But I might do a little shopping, too,” she added.

The new reigning queen will be a junior next fall at UB with hopes of being a bilingual teacher.

Besides the $8,500 which went to the winner and runners-up, Larry Roman gave $100 to each of the 13 girls that didn’t make the top three just for participating. He also handed a $20 bill to each contestant after they answered questions during the interviews.

(Monticello)