Christen Clarke, Miss Greater Greenville 2005, had an opportunity to meet the public in the Camellia City soon after last Saturday night’s program.

After posing for photos on stage, Clarke stopped and enjoyed talking with young fans like Taylor Autrey and Jennifer Grace Arnold Saturday night.

A special &uot;Queen’s Reception&uot; was held in the Reception Room of the Ritz Theatre after the crowning. Miss GG Board members had prepared a lavish spread for the new queen, with a beautiful centerpiece in a &uot;crown,&uot; shape, created by Nancy Idland of Elizabeth Wilson Florist.

During the reception, Clarke enjoyed a &uot;second Christmas&uot;, opening a bevy of gifts from local merchants and board members, including jewelry, gift certificates, handbags, picture frames and more.

Attendees learned the number five has proven to be a lucky one for the USA psychology student.

&uot;This is my third year doing preliminaries,&uot; she said. &uot;I did five the first year.

I was in five the second year, and won Miss Lake Martin in the fifth prelim. I did exactly five preliminaries this year – and here I am.&uot;

Clarke went to Miss Alabama last year with Melinda Toole, the 2004 Miss Greater Greenville. Toole, who said she had also competed in preliminaries with Clarke, feels &uot;really good&uot; about turning the crown over to the new Miss GG.

&uot;I am sad about leaving, because it’s been such a great place to represent,&uot; Toole said.

Toole and Clarke were both present at a luncheon with the Miss Greater Greenville Board members on Sunday at Cambrian Ridge.

&uot;It went beautifully, just beautifully,&uot; said Miss GG Director Sue Arnold. &uot;We had the opportunity to learn about ways we can help Christen promote her platform on youth physical fitness here in Greenville. We also discussed ways Greenville can benefit from her platform, so it was a very productive time.&uot;

Arnold is pleased to note Clarke’s enthusiasm in representing Greenville.

&uot;She seems really, really excited about Greenville – and I believe she will be a great asset to us,&uot; Arnold said.