Huckleberry girls shine at Miss Huckleberry pageant
Symona Wood/Sky High Photography Ashley Wiltse, far left, organizer of the Miss Huckleberry Pageant, stands with the contestants, from left: Faith Frields, Hailey Carpender, Sarah Wood, Kaydra Brown, Samantha Arrants, Naomie Rummel, Andrea Wood, and McKinley Williams.
Not every 14-year-old can win a pageant, much less organize one.
Ashley Wiltse, organizer of the Miss Huckleberry Pageant, thought it was a complete success.
“It really went off well,” she said.
Seven girls competed. They were judged on their introductions, the group dance, their talents and an interview as well.
For each category the girls were judged on their performance and how well they were able to carry themselves. Each girl also does her own talent.
The girls competed by age group: 5-to-7-year olds fought in the “Tiny Miss” category; 8-to-10-year olds competed for the title of “Little Miss” and 11-to-14-year-olds stormed the stage for “Miss.”
Judges also presented an award given to “Miss Congeniality” in each category.
In the “Tiny Miss” category, the runner-up was Sarah Wood. Hailey Carpender won “Tiny Miss” and also won “Miss Congeniality.”
In “Little Miss” the runner-up was Samantha Arrants and she also won “Miss Congeniality.” The winner of the “Little Miss” category was Kaydra Brown.
For the “Miss” category the runner-up and “Miss Congeniality” winner was Andrea Wood, with the title of “Miss Huckleberry” going to McKinley Williams.
Wiltse said that all of the girls did a good job and that she was really happy with how the pageant turned out.
For winning the girls received tiaras, sashes, flowers, and necklaces. The girls who received “Miss Congeniality” honors also received trophies.
The girls were required to be in the Huckleberry Festival on Saturday, but that is the only requirement of their reign as “Tiny Miss,” “Little Miss,” or “Miss Huckleberry.”
Wiltse said everyone seemed to have a good time and that the whole experience was a lot of fun.
“I really enjoyed it,” she said.