Sun, Sep 13th 2026 11:40 pm
17-year-old NT resident takes title, scholarship award
By Joshua Maloni
GM/Managing Editor
Gianna Abramo was named 2026 Niagara County Peach Queen on Sunday night at the conclusion of the 68th annual Peach Festival. The 17-year-old North Tonawanda resident outscored 11 other candidates to win the crown and a $4,000 scholarship courtesy of the Lewiston Kiwanis Club.
“I feel great,” Gianna said as she sat on her “throne” accompanied by flowers and a trophy. “It’s not only about winning, but the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve made a lot of great friends. These are beautiful women; and I’m just honored to be in such a position. Not only am I overjoyed, but I also feel a sense of pride that I get to represent Niagara County.”
Gianna explained, “This was my first time competing in this competition. I’m only a senior in high school, so I just meet the qualifying age. I was inspired by my best friend, Emily Butski, who’s competed in years prior, to do this.”
She noted, “I’ve always loved being involved in my community. At school, I do several extracurricular activities – and even outside of school, I participate as well. Just connecting with my community is an opportunity I’ve always wanted to have, and this is finally a great opportunity for me to connect with my community, get to know a bunch of great people. Niagara County – best county – and everyone is hardworking and beautiful.”
Gianna Abramo waits with runner-up Olivia Taylor.
Alyssa Strangio crowns Gianna Abramo as Peach Queen scholarship pageant coordinator Jennifer Pauly looks on.
The Peach Queen spends a year in service to the community, accompanying the Lewiston Kiwanis Club in charitable endeavors.
“I’m most looking forward to being able to create a bunch of fun, community events,” Gianna said. “I’m going to use my creative abilities to station little free libraries, have open microphone events for charity, and also have food and clothing drives for those in need.”
She said, “My platform is on early childhood education and providing the resources we need for children to create a brighter tomorrow.”
Gianna said she chose that initiative because, “I’m a daycare and preschool teacher at Bunny Bunch Daycare, and just working with children has made me realize so much how they need a good environment to thrive. The generations to come will face challenges unparalleled to what we’ve experienced. So, as the adults in our community, we need to prepare them so that they can be better than this generation and continue to grow.”
Gianna added, “To all the young women out there: I would encourage you to do the best job that you can to make sure you are not only putting in work for your community, but you are doing this for yourself. Community service not only helps build a strong communal tie within our area, but also you learn lots of important life skills that you would otherwise not be able to have. Ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do with your community.”
Emotionally, Gianna said wearing the crown felt “amazing.”
Physically, she said, “It’s a little bit heavy – but I’m a competitive dancer, so I’m used to all the big props!”
The new queen and her court. (Photo by Robin Clark)
2025 Niagara County Peach Queen Alyssa Strangio and the 2026 Peach Queen class.
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Gianna is the daughter of Heather and Nicholas Abramo. She attends Starpoint High School and has participated in Link Club, Voice Your Opinion Club and as a Unified Sports basketball coach. Gianna is a high honors student, a member of the National Honor Society, a varsity basketball player, and does competitive dance with the Amazing Grace Dance Studio.
She has volunteered as a peer tutor and with pediatric physical therapy patients, and coordinated food drives for pantries.
Upon graduating from high school. Gianna plans to attend the University at Buffalo, where she will study neuroscience, attend medical school, and work with cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease patients.
Olivia Taylor, 17, of Lewiston, was named the first runner-up.
The rest of the queen’s court included Grace Burton, 16, of Lewiston; Mariana Buccelato, 17, of Youngstown; and Rhianna Broeker, 20, of Lewiston.
Karmen Cruz was named the Jeanette Collesano Bright Star and Tara Laurie Miss Congeniality awards-winner.
Twenty-one-year-old Karmen Cruz of Niagara Falls, in her last year of Peach Queen eligibility, swept the other awards: the Jeanette Collesano Bright Star, given to a non-finalist who is lauded for effort and making others feel welcome; a $100 prize for filling the most backpacks for those in need; and the Tara Laurie Miss Congeniality, as selected by the other pageant participants.
Niagara Arts & Cultural Center Executive Director Jennifer Pauly serves as the Peach Queen scholarship program coordinator and offered welcoming remarks. Pauly is a former Peach Queen.
Natalie Slipko, also a former Peach Queen, was the event emcee.
At one point in the program, Pauly and Slipko were joined by six other former Peach Queen winners.
Photo by Robin Clark
Outgoing Peach Queen Alyssa Strangio recapped her year in service, crowned her replacement, and ushered the Peach Blossom and Peach Fuzz across the stage when it was their time to address the crowd.
On Saturday, 7-year-old Jaide Holland was named Peach Blossom. She is the daughter of Tiffany and Patrick Holland, and a second-grade student. Corey Neadow, age 6, was selected to be the Peach Fuzz. The first-grader is the son of Alyssa and Corey Neadow.
Peach Fuzz Corey Neadow and Peach Blossom Jaide Holland (Photo by Robin Clark)
Jennifer Pauly
Natalie Slipko