Sandusky girl wins national pageant

SANDUSKY — Nora Lynn Smith, 6, of Sandusky, received the top award in her age category during the International Finals of the Sunburst pageant, which took place last month in Orlando, Florida. Nora took home the grand prize as the 2025 Sunburst International Pee-Wee Queen. Among her prizes, Nora won $1,000 cash, a 20-inch tall crown and numerous trophies for placing top honors in each division of competition. Nora is the daughter of Mark and Kristin Smith, also of Sandusky. Additionally, Nora was crowned on July 4 as Port Clinton's 2025 Firecracker Grand Supreme Queen. During this event, an audience member yelled out, "There's your future Miss America." Sunburst, a well-known pageant series, aims to provide "wholesome competition that the entire family can enjoy," according to an organization statment, noting it also strives "to create an environment where our contestants can grow, mature, develop and exhibit their talents, personalities, interpersonal skills and sportsmanship, providing opportunity and rewards that will further enhance their lives and provide direction as they pursue their ambitions."