Local news

Lock Haven couple aim to be America’s Favorite in national contest

LOCK HAVEN -- Local couple Holly and Jessica Faust are currently in the quarter finals for a national contest, as they aim to be America's Favorite Couple.

The couple, who has lived in Lock Haven since 2006, entered the nationwide contest -- hosted by Colossal and Variety magazine -- in June.

The contest, held annually, also serves as a fundraiser for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Oceana, the world's largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.

The winner of this year's contest will have the chance to share their love story in a special spread inside Variety, receive $20,000 and have dinner with Jeff Goldblum and his wife along with Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis.

Holly told The Express if she and her wife win the contest, they'd like to donate the majority of the $20,000 to the Clinton County SPCA.

"We're really into the SPCA. We want to work to clear out all of the kennels, whether through paying all the adoption fees or something else," she said.

Holly said she and Jessica have been competing in various rounds for the contest since June, managing to remain at number one each round.

The quarter finals, which ends on Thursday, Aug. 27, has seen the first time they've fallen behind that number.

According to the most recent figures, the couple is ranked third overall.

Holly said they have to be in first place to move onto the semi-finals. The overall contest is set to be complete in October following various voting rounds.

She added for each round, the number of votes per couple is returned to zero.

"We started from scratch," she said.

Holly, who works for NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) said she's been working to get the Fausts out there. From sharing the link and QR codes at events -- like San Diego Comic Con -- to reaching out to some of the former Lock Haven University students she and Jessica befriended while working at Hangar 9.

"I've also done some promotions on TikTok, Facebook and those places," she said.

Through it all, Holly said it's been a good experience.

"It's been really fun to engage with people I haven't spoken to in a long time," she said.

Though Jessica has a full-time job at M&T Bank, Holly said she's also assisted with that promotion and also often attends conventions with her.

Holly and Jessica have been together for 20 years, with 13 of those married. Though they knew each other well before that.

Holly explained the couple grew up together and even had their first job together at the Lewisburg Weis Market in its bakery section.

"We ended up working our first jobs together, she decorated cakes and I cleaned up after her. She was always shy and years later I found out she had a crush on me. To this day I still clean up after her," Holly shared on the couple's "America's Favorite Couple" page.

Holly told The Express they always existed in each other's orbit, having similar friends and even being part of a wedding before they first started seeing each other.

"Our paths have crossed so many times over the years," she said.

In 2006, the couple settled in Lock Haven due to it being a mid-way point for both of their jobs at the time.

"And we've been here ever since," Holly said.

And now, the Fausts are hoping the community they've grown to love and call home might be able to help them earn the title America's Favorite Couple. In doing so, the hope is to pay it forward.

"I really want to get out there and win this for the SPCA," Holly said.

Those who might be interested in voting for the couple have until Thursday and may do so by visiting bit.ly/4wK8dKW.