Western Tidewater Wish Upon a Star Pageant inspires and encourages youth
Published 6:01 pm Friday, September 30, 2022
Western Tidewater Wish Upon a Star Pageant contestants are dressed to impress for the eveningwear category.
Elena Flores, front during the Western Tidewater Wish Upon a Star Pageant.
Dressed in a beautiful teal blue gown is pageant contestant Lauryn Bailey.
Pageant contestants Nicole Joyner, left and Khloe Jenkins light up the room with their smiles.
Pageant contestants Lauren Bailey, left and Khloe Jenkins light up the room with their smiles.
Sporting a winning smile and her tiara is Kameile Carrington during the pageant.
Savannah Pittman sports her tiara.
Jamiah Butler backstage at the pageant.
One of four contestants crowned as Queen during this year’s Western Tidewater Wish Upon a Star Pageant is Gabrielle Johnson.
From left, Bradlea Wrenn, Savannah Pittman and Ivy Peters are all smiles as they take a moment to smile for the camera.
Friends and family Alayna Carter, Trinity Griffith and Veronica Griffith pose for a photo while backstage during the pageant.
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The inaugural Western Tidewater Wish Upon a Star Pageant was held Saturday, Sept. 17, at Southampton High School and was sponsored by Smart Beginnings, Cofield’s Locksmith, Franklin Star Lodge #288, Southampton County Sheriff’s Department and Speaklife.
When asked about the pageant Kashif Carter of Speaklife said, “Two of the main purposes of this pageant were to promote diversity and making it affordable for every young lady to participate.”
Pageant divisions and criteria
The pageant consisted of four divisions, which were the Little, Junior Miss, Pre teen and Miss division. All combined there were 16 contestants. Of those, one from each division were crowned as Queen (overall winner.) The young ladies were judged in two categories, personality and eveningwear. Neatness, poise, personality and outfit were a few areas that were looked at by the judges. Pageant judges were Lorraine Greene Whitehead, Beneta Cofield and Katie Holland.
This year’s winners
Crowned as this year’s Queens were Khloe Jenkins, Morgan West, Alayna Carter and Gabrielle Johnson. Additional contestants were Elena Flores, Lauryn Bailey, Nicole Joyner, Veronica Griffith, Zuri Bradberry, Ivy Peters, Savannah Pittman, Trinity Griffith, Bradlea Wrenn, Jamiah Butler, Kameile Carrington and Blair Dickens. Wanting to recognize all of the young ladies, each contestant received a tiara.
Additional community supporters
Pageant hosts were Ellis Cofield lll and Sarah Graham. Professional head shots were taken by Nikki Story of Storytime Photography. Photos during the pageant were taken by Jesse Evans of J-LUV Photography. The pageant was opened with the national anthem, sung by Jenny Davis. Pageant organizers would like to give a special thank you to Southampton County Sheriff Josh Wyche, who stepped in as an auditor; Southampton High School for allowing the use of the auditorium and Ash Bryant who volunteered her time to DJ the event.
