Niagara Falls resident Amelia Faddoul was named the new Niagara County Peach Queen at this past weekend’s Peach Festival.
The 20-year-old Niagara University junior was one of 18 contestants competing this year. As queen, Faddoul receives a $4,000 scholarship from the Lewiston Kiwanis Club, the peach festival’s organizers.
She will also spend the next year championing a cause and working with the Kiwanis Club on community projects. Faddoul said that she wants to create more opportunities for those with disabilities, as her stepbrother has autism.
The other contestants finishing in the top 5 were Meghan DePadre, 19, of Wheatfield, Isabelle Frankovitch, 19, of Lewiston, Kendall Arbatosky, 17, of Niagara Falls and Aryanna Nablo, 18, of Niagara Falls.
A sports management major at NU, Faddoul is the daughter of Jill and Todd Faddoul and step-daughter to Jessica Faddoul and Dave Gomesky. She is the vice-president of the Sports Management Association, president of the Commuter Advocacy Board, and is involved with the Circle K Club.
Her recent volunteer experience includes books drives, working school sporting events, new student orientation, SABAH, the Salvation Army, the Lewiston Christmas Parade, and the annual American Foundation Suicide Prevention Walk. She is working towards a black belt in kickboxing and did an internship with the Buffalo Bills.
After she graduates, Faddoul wants to do social media for a professional hockey and lacrosse team. She also wants to run a non-profit allowing children with disabilities to play sports.