By Melissa Edwards
Special to The Tidewater News

COURTLAND
On Saturday, March 14, at 6 p.m., a full auditorium was welcomed by 15 pageant contestants from Southampton High School. The lights dimmed and they came through the stage curtains dancing up the aisles to Bruno Mars’ “Up Town Funk.” The entertaining pageant production was not just about the competition, it was also a show with many choreographed numbers by the contestants, student talents and a children Mini Miss and Mister Showcase.

Three judges from different parts of Virginia volunteered their time to conduct individual interviews, share a meal and judge the pageant production. The first judge represented the community; Stacey Griffith lives in Courtland and is a Student Government Association sponsor at Windsor. She understands and appreciates the level teenagers should be at for interviews, resumes and stage presence. The second judge represented the theme of the pageant, global travel. Tatiana’ Rieloff has been to 15 different countries and six different continents. She currently resides in Alexandria, and was anxious to share her experiences with the contestants along with having a new experience herself. The last judge was a returner, Shelby Valentine. She is a graduate of Marymount University and currently works for Bloomingdale’s in Maryland. She works in fashion and was a modeling director for several prestigious shows through the Washington, D.C., area in the last four years.

The theme for the pageant this year was Global Glam! During the show contestants were asked to start and encourage trends not only through fashion, also through school and community service. The categories in which the contestants competed included: Preliminary Interview; Opening Walk and Introduction — Baggage Claim; Trend-Setting Fashion — Multi-Cultures Multi-Print; High Fashion — Dream Destination; Evening Gown — Global Glam; Question-and-Answer Session.

The contestants also worked hard throughout the months before the pageant for the titles of Miss Community Service and Miss School and Pageant Service.

Cassidy McLain started the Hannah Family Fundraiser in December. She came up with several ideas to raise funds and gather household supplies for a family that lost their home in a fire. She also participated in the Deal or No Deal Fundraiser for the Trooper Hill Charity and raised funds through her themed pageant box. She earned the title of Miss Community Service with her charitable heart.

Sydney Walton earned the title of Miss School and Pageant Service. Sydney not only shows role model qualities in the classroom, she also is involved in activities at SHS, but really shined in the area of pageant. She attended all events, practices and was always helping others. Syndey grew and showed great dedication through this process.

The Southampton High School Student Government Association produced the pageant and featured many students other than the contestants. Senior Eve Robertson, Homecoming Queen, along with junior Ann Jackson Edwards, Young Miss SHS 2014, were the emcees for the event. SGA officers and board members worked behind the scenes learning all production aspects and backstage skills. Cullen Cobb not only worked sound he also set up speakers, microphones and managed multiple sound boards and programs to keep the show moving. Danielle Moore was a backstage coordinator working with 15 contestants’ seven different choreographed numbers and five fashion changes for the contestants. Courtney Vinson worked three sets of curtains and was a side stage coordinator for the entertainments in between pageant categories. Tyler Maynard learned the light board and worked the lights as an art form to keep the audience engaged and enhance the show. These four students also attended every practice and dedicated themselves to the production.

After the contestant question-and-answer portion of the show, while the judge’s scores were tallied by the auditors Mason Cox, Southampton High teacher and Luke Reynolds.

Student talents were also showcased. Warren Hastings and Audra Nahrebecki performed the song “Picture” with Warren on vocals and Audra on guitar and vocals. Tyler Maynard performed “House of the Rising Sun” and “Working Class Hero” solos with guitar and vocal. These students brought the audience and the contestants to their feet with applause and support. Following their performances was the traditional Queens Walk. The following young Southampton County Public Schools ladies were recognized:

• Cameron Francis, Miss Teen Franklin Southampton County Fair

• Callie Joyner, Miss Franklin Southampton County Fair

• Isabelle Melbye, Little Miss Franklin Southampton County Fair

Then the reigning 2014 Queens did their final walk. They were Ann Jackson Edwards, Young Miss Southampton High School 2014 and Katie Mein, Miss Southampton High School 2014.

At the end of the night Melissa Edwards and Renee Markivich, SGA Sponsors, announced the winners for each category and presented the titles.

 

Titles

• Miss SHS Fashion Pageant 2015 — Rachel Brown

• Miss SHS 2015 — First Runner-Up — Alexandra Holt

• Young Miss SHS Fashion Pageant 2015 — Kelby Lewis

• Young Miss SHS 2015 — 1st Runner-Up — Taylor Rountree

 

Awards for Miss Contestants

• Best Interview — Olivia Goff

• Best Global Glam Evening Wear — Cassidy McLain

• Best Baggage Claim — Michaela Bernocco

• Best Mixed Prints — Tia Wilkerson

• Best Destination High Fashion — Brooklyn Carpenter

• Best Question & Answer — Leighanne Teel

• Best Business wear — Kiera Lockwood

• School and Pageant Service — Sydney Walton

• Original Style — Alexandra Holt

• Most Photogenic — Wilmisha Porter

 

Awards for Young Miss Contestants

• Best Interview — Alexandra Paisley

• Best Global Glam — Taylor Rountree

• Best Baggage Claim — Maya Riddick

• Best Mixed Prints — Taylor Rountree

• Best Destination High Fashion — Alexandra Paisley

• Best Question & Answer — Maya Riddick

 

Awards for Miss or Young Miss

• Miss Congeniality — Rachel Brown

• Charity and Service Award — Cassidy McLain

• Audience Choice — Rachel Brown