From Crown Bearer to Crown Winner
Sophia Faddis Becomes Miss Rain Day 2026
“Miss Rain Day 2026 is…contestant number six Sophia Faddis!”
As cheers filled the stage, Sophia stood in her white gown, taking in the moment she had dreamed about for years. As “Isn’t She Lovely” played through the auditorium, she smiled through happy tears before making her walk as the newest Miss Rain Day. This was the start of a year she hopes will be remembered not only for wearing the crown, but for making a difference.
Celebrating Rain Day
For Sophia, there isn’t just one favorite Rain Day tradition, the entire festival is what makes Rain Day so special.
“I love how unique it is,” she said. “It’s not something you see everywhere, and it’s amazing how our community comes together to celebrate.”
This year, she’s especially excited to watch the Little Miss Rain Drop competition and spend the day meeting visitors and celebrating one of Waynesburg’s most beloved traditions.
Stepping into the Role
Sophia’s journey to the Miss Rain Day stage began years ago when she served as the Crown Bearer for Eden Rogers, Miss Rain Day 2017. Watching the pageant from that perspective showed her that the experience was more than wearing a crown, it was an opportunity to grow, learn, and make a difference.
Sophia is the 16 year old daughter of Melissa and Timothy Faddis. This fall she will be a Junior at Jefferson Morgan High School. She is a part of Student Council, Interact Club, Spanish Club, Leo Club, Science Club, and Yearbook Club. Outside of school, she dances at Moschetta’s Performing Arts Center.
Now, as the 2026 Miss Rain Day, Sophia hopes to use her title to educate others about autism awareness, a cause that is deeply personal to her. Inspired by her young nephew’s autism diagnosis, she wants to help the community better understand autism and encourage compassion, inclusion, and acceptance.
“I’ve learned that success isn’t just about winning,” Sophia said. “Even if I hadn’t won, I knew I would learn so much about myself. Success is about growing from every experience.”
Leading with Purpose
Sophia plans to lead her year with confidence, purpose, and determination. She hopes to use every appearance as an opportunity to share information about autism and help families feel supported.
One of the experiences she is looking forward to the most is representing Greene County throughout the year and competing at the Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen competition. Just as importantly, she’s excited to meet new people and build lasting connections across the community.
Her biggest inspiration is her sister, Ashley, who has always encouraged her and offered guidance from a different perspective.
The Next Chapter
Winning Miss Rain Day is just the beginning for Sophia. She hopes to leave a lasting impact by using her voice to raise awareness for autism while encouraging others to step outside their comfort zone and embrace new opportunities.
To Sophia, wearing the crown means representing a community she loves while proving that the greatest accomplishments often come from the lessons learned along the way.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,’ Sophia said. “The Miss Rain Day Pageant is about so much more than winning. You’ll make lifelong friendships, grow in confidence, and learn new things about yourself that you’ll carry with you after the pageant is over”
A Sisterhood Beyond the Crown
Although only one contestant was crowned Miss Rain Day 2026, each young woman walked away with something meaningful; new friendships, unforgettable memories, and personal growth.
For many of the contestants, the friendships they built throughout the pageant stood out the most. Meet the 2026 Miss Rain Day Contestants
“I enjoyed making lots of new friends,” said contestant Sienna Stoneking.
Bella Walker reflected on how much she changed during the experience, saying, “I really enjoyed growing a lot this year.”
Meah Branham added that what she looked forward to most was simply “being with everyone and having so much fun.”
The summer activities gave the contestants plenty of opportunities to bond outside of rehearsals. Even though the Wild Things game was interrupted by rain, it remained a favorite memory among all contestants.
“My favorite activity was probably the Wild Things game,” Bella said. “Even though it got rained out, it was still fun.”
Eilidh Batchelder had another favorite. “The ice cream,” she laughed. “It was really good!”
When it comes to Rain Day itself, every contestant had a tradition they couldn’t wait to enjoy. For Meah Branham, it wouldn’t be Rain Day without the festival food.
“I love the cheese fries and the lemonade. I get them every single year without fail,” she said.
Others look forward to seeing their friends, enjoying ice cream, and simply taking in the excitement of the festival.
Like so many throughout the community, the contestants also shared their annual Rain Day predictions. While each guessed a different time, they all agreed on one thing: Rain Day would once again live up to its name.
When asked why someone should visit the Rain Day Festival, Jaira Withrow summed up what so many people love about the celebration.
“I feel like you should come because everyone is so kind,” she said. “They treat you with so much compassion, and it really brings our community together. That’s something really special.”
Their answers reflect what the Miss Rain Day program is all about. Beyond the crown and competition, it’s an opportunity to build friendships, grow in confidence, and celebrate a hometown tradition that continues to bring Greene County together year after year.
