Youngsters who attended the story time program at the Boone Area Library in Birdsboro on Nov. 15 were treated to a special guest visitor - Miranda Moore, Miss Pennsylvania 2023.

Moore read the children a story, answered questions about her reign as Miss Pennsylvania and took time to pose for photos.

Moore was crowned Miss Pennsylvania 2023 in June at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York. She will represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Miss America competition at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

At the pageant, which will be nationally televised on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, Moore will compete in four categories - evening gown, talent, interview and health and fitness. "(For health and fitness) we do a little fitness routine like you would do in PE class or dance class," she told the youngsters. "Our interview is with the judges, who will ask us about the work we have done and why we want to be Miss America. Talent, for me, (is playing) the clarinet. I will do a classical instrumental performance."

"(The pageant) is a good balance of answering questions, showcasing your talent and having a glamor moment and feeling like a princess (during the evening gown competition)," she added.

As Miss Pennsylvania, Moore travels around the state to support local causes and to promote her initiative, "Take Action in Fashion," which aims to educate people about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry.

"Miss Pennsylvania is actually a full-time job. Every day I get to do different appearances and events," Moore shared. "Sometimes I am at libraries, sometimes I am at fancy events or sometimes I am speaking at schools. Every day is different, and I get to go all over Pennsylvania. Today I'm here, tomorrow I am in the Lehigh Valley and the next day I am in Pittsburgh. It is a cool job, and I get to meet a lot of people and spend a lot of time working with different organizations. Miss Pennsylvania is the best job ever."

Moore, who hails from Harrisburg, is a graduate of the University of Georgia College of Engineering. She is an environmental engineer and a sustainability professional.

"Before I was Miss Pennsylvania, I was an environmental engineer. I graduated a couple of years ago and started working for UGI Utilities," she noted. "They provide natural gas to homes, schools and buildings. I designed natural gas (systems) and worked to make it a safer industry."

She is also currently a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. "While I am Miss Pennsylvania, I am happy to be in school and still learning," she added.

After answering questions, Moore read the book "I Had a Favorite Dress," which she said was very appropriate because of her love of fashion.

Story time at the Boone Area Library, 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro, is held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Registration is not required. For more information about upcoming story times and other library activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/boonearealibrary.