Miss Chowan 2011 Jena’y Nelson of Chase City on March 3 was crowned second runner-up for the 2012 Food Lion Miss CIAA Pageant at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.

Voting took place through Facebook leading up to the basketball tournament. Jena’y was battling against CIAA schools twice and three times in size as Chowan University.

“I wouldn’t have placed if it weren’t for my fellow Hawks students, faculty, staff, family, friends, my pastor and church, and the rest of the people that constantly support me,” Jena’y said.

A senior business administration and accounting major, she met First Lady Michelle Obama at the tournament.

“It’s not everyday that you have the chance to see the First Lady in person,” Jena’y said. “Her aura was breath-taking, and I could do nothing but stare in awe at her beauty as she interacted with the kids in her campaign and the Lady Hawks.”

Jena’y also met recording artists Doug E. Fresh, Dru Hill and Yolanda Adams; Thelma from the television show “Good Times;” and Flava Flav from the hip-hop group Public Enemy.

• Pickleman Productions in Smithfield is looking for extras to run down Main Street screaming in terror while being chased by a 50-foot pickle.

On April 23, Main Street in Smithfield will be closed from 2 to 5 p.m. for filming “DillZilla: Titan of Terror!” The movie will mimic the “Godzilla” films.

Pickleman Productions is an independent film company owned by Elizabeth Pasieczny. She is a Disney-trained animator who is expanding her film work to include puppetry. Film Crew 101, an internship program for children to learn about working on a film crew, is participating in the current project.

Pickleman, a gregarious talking pickle, is the star. His ongoing adventures are numerous and his live-action films are spoofing 1950 horror films. His last project, “Zombie Pickles from Space,” is still traveling the independent film festival circuit.

• Nansemond Suffolk Academy senior Jessica Burkett won Best in Show for her piece entitled “Wired” during the annual Sister Cities Annual Young Authors and Young Artists Showcase. Jessica’s artwork will be entered in the Sister Cities International Young Artists Showcase.

Others who placed were juniors Katelyn McCracken first and Shellie Williams third in the personal essay category; seniors Nicole Turner and Shelby Brown, honorable mention in the drawing category; and senior Marina Schaubach, honorable mention in the 2-D Mixed Media Category.

Taking first in the photography was senior Jordan Howell, second sophomore Daniel Hotte, third sophomore Jack Russell and honorable mention senior Megan Luning.

GWEN ALBERS is managing editor of The Tidewater News. Her email address is gwen.albers@tidewaternews.com.