Uniontown native wins state pageant crown
Uniontown native Shelley Bortz Ligashesky will be competing for the Mrs. America title in Tucson, Ariz., in September.
Uniontown native Shelley Bortz Ligashesky is the new Mrs. Pennsylvania and will be vying for the national title Mrs. America in September.
But it took a bit of arm twisting and encouragement from her family for Ligashesky to enter the competition.
"My sister just competed in the Miss Pennsylvania, and she did really well. She placed in the top 15," Ligashesky said. "It was her first competition, and I was proud of her. She then suggested that I try for the Mrs. Pennsylvania title. She kept telling me it was never too late. She said that she had a great time and it was a great experience."
Although Ligashesky, 34, had entertained the notion of pageant participation when she was in her teens and 20s, busy schedules and lifestyles kept her from entering competition.
"My mother got wind of it from my sister, and they both kept pushing me so I finally said, 'Why not?'" Ligashesky said, adding that she even wore the same gown that her sister used in competition.
Winning on her first try, Ligashesky was thrilled with the honor and impressed by those against whom she competed.
"I just couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that they called my name, and everyone there was so nice," Ligashesky said. "I really don't know what I expected. I guess I thought that everyone would be all catty and so into themselves, but they weren't like that at all. They were wonderful, and it was a wonderful experience."
Ligashesky is a graduate of Geibel Catholic High School in Connellsville and Gannon University, where she earned her degree in communications. She and her husband, Bob, live in Pittsburgh.
Working for several years as a news reporter and television anchor, Ligashesky is comfortable speaking and presenting herself, and her enthusiasm for sports shines through on her job as public address announcer for the University of Pittsburgh's women's basketball team.
But the winning of the title is more important than a mere beauty contest for Ligashesky, who is looking forward to traveling the state as Mrs. Pennsylvania, bringing to the public her message of the importance of not drinking and driving.
While attending college on a basketball scholarship, Ligashesky was involved in a tragic automobile accident, one that claimed the life of her best friend and teammate.
The pair were hit by a drunken driver, and Ligashesky was told that she may never walk again.
"When I heard the prognosis, I was devastated, but I wasn't going to feel sorry for myself," Ligashesky said. "I was going to do something about it."
After an amazing recovery, Ligashesky has become a champion in the fight against drunken driving, and hopes that her new title will help bring attention to the issue.
"I'm hoping that people will listen to what I have to say," Ligashesky said. "I hope that I can use my title and my crown as a vehicle to really get out there and talk to people. I hope to share my experience with them and work toward putting a stop to drinking and driving. It has to stop, and maybe if I can get my story out there, it can help and people will listen."
