The Herald Standard - 1978 Coal Queen reflects on reign of royalty

1978 Coal Queen reflects on reign of royalty

By Lorraine Adams, For the Herald-Standard

08/19/2008

Updated 08/19/2008 12:49:15 AM EDT

Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly

	Andrea Patrick Forte was crowned the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Queen in Carmichaels 30 years ago.

When Andrea Patrick tried out for coal queen, representing Laurel Highlands High School, she already had won 15 titles beginning in 1972 with Our Little Miss Uniontown. Prior to that, she and her brother, Rich, danced and competed in dance competitions.

She may have been a veteran pageant contestant, but her role as the 1978 Silver Anniversary Bituminous Coal Queen of Pennsylvania opened up a new door.

"The highlight for me was speaking before the House of Representatives and the state Senate which was the beginning of my career as a spokesperson," Forte said.

Since then, Forte has won the titles of 1980 Miss Pennsylvania USA and 1983 Miss West Virginia. Then she began her own company, Patrick Talent Agency, and married Fabian Forte, teen heartthrob of the 1950s and 1960s before starting a new company - Once Upon A Dream.

The Herald Standard - 1978 Coal Queen reflects on reign of royalty

Blogged with the Flock Browser