FRANKLIN
The 2015 Miss Cupcake queens’ reign will be coming to an end soon. They have had a year full of spreading kindness and giving back to the community, but next month they will be passing their sashes and crowns on to the next queen.

The Miss Southeast Cupcake Pageant came to the area in 2014. Ten queens are crowned each pageant to represent the Southeastern States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. In order to participate in the pageant, the child must between the ages of 0 and 15, and live in one of the above listed states.

Once the winners are crowned, the queens spend the year making appearances, giving back to those in need, participating in events, hosting fundraisers and much more.

Some of the highlights from the 2015 Miss Cupcake queens’ reign are as follows:

• They visited and had snack time with the residents of Riverside Convalescent Home in Smithfield. They carried lemonade cupcakes and gifts for everyone. While they were there, one of the residents entertained them by playing guitar and singing;

• They helped Windsor Gymnastics collect gently worn shoes for the Funds2Org Shoe Drive. This helped to provide shoes and employment for the less fortunate and other countries in need;

• They collected can tabs that were given to the Shriner’s Hospital. The collection of these tabs will help those who are struggling with medical expenses;

• They participated in several toy drives during the holiday months, two being The Trooper Hill in Franklin and The Chesterfield County Toy Drive;

• They helped hundreds of people hang live wreaths on the graves at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veteran Cemetery. Those who present for this said, “this was such an emotional event. What a way for them to honor our fallen heroes;”

• They participated in the Isle of Wight County Christmas Tree Lighting;

• They were in several local parades; and

• They raised money at the Southampton County Fair to help support the Josh Stevens Be Kind Foundation. This foundation encourages Being Kind in schools across the country.

Although the queens participated in several other events, these were some of their favorites.

The 2016 Southeast Miss Cupcake Pageant will take place on Sunday, May 1, at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 Finney Avenue, Suffolk 23434. For more information or if you have any questions, call 702-629-6929 or email MissCupcake@fitforthecrown.com.