Girl with Latrobe roots wins contest to name first puppies

Hannah Strathmeyer was just wild about Harry -- and Penny, too.

So were Gov. Tom Corbett and first lady Susan Corbett, who picked the two names, submitted by 11-year-old Hannah and two others, for their new Airedale terrier puppies.

During a ceremony last week, Corbett and his wife announced the winning names and presented the pups to the media.

Hannah's mother, Karen Smetak Strathmeyer, grew up in the Latrobe area, and her grandmother, Betty Ann Bridge, lives in Unity.

"I was very excited," said Hannah, a sixth-grader who lives in York County.

Hannah was ecstatic when she learned she submitted both winning names, Karen Strathmeyer said.

"When Hannah got the call, she screamed as loud as a little child could," Hannah's mother said, noting her daughter loves animals, especially dogs.

"I thought it was very creative," she added of the names.

"Penny is for Pennsylvania and Harry is for Harrisburg," said Betty Ann Bridge.

"I just thought it's wonderful," the grandmother added. "And she's loving the notoriety of it. I just think it's great."

The "Name the Pups" contest was open to Pennsylvania children 12 and younger. Children could submit entries either through a letter or online, said Corbett spokeswoman Kirsten Page.

Hannah saw an advertisement about the contest, then submitted her entry via the Web, her mother said.

Nearly 550 names were submitted for consideration. In addition to the three children submitting both names, 37 more children suggested Harry as one of their entries. Four other children picked Penny.

Hannah learned she was among the children picking both names in late July. She was told not to tell anyone until after last week's presentation.

"I wanted to tell my friends," she said. "But I didn't say anything. I'm pretty good at keeping secrets."