By John Brice
Correspondent
Contestants, event staff, families and members of the media gathered in the auditorium of LaFayette High School for the first Miss LaFayette Main Street Pageant during the afternoon hours of Saturday, July 13th of 2024.
Chambers County Probate Court Judge Paul Story served as emcee for the occasion and welcomed attendees to the pageant. Sharing emcee duties with Judge Story was Alabama Power Company Business Office Manager for their locations in Valley and Phenix City Lyndee Williams. Judges were introduced during the first segment of the pageant which was followed by contestants from the Tiny Miss, Little Miss and Young Miss competing by taking turns walking the stage.
As each contestant walked the stage they were introduced by emcee Williams who shared unique details of their personality to help get them acquainted with the audience. Favorite foods such as spaghetti, ramen noodles, chicken fingers with ranch, cheeseburgers, sushi, grilled shrimp, pizza, chocolate, steak and seafood boil were among the culinary treats enjoyed. Career goals and life ambitions were also shared which included cheerleader, scientist, pediatrician, military service, firefighter, nail salon owner, police officer, farming, motherhood, teacher, gymnast, softball, basketball, dancing, tubing, modeling, running track, arts & crafts and watching movies with family.
Crowning of winners and runners up then closed out the first segment which was followed by the second segment for contestants in Junior Miss and Miss categories who were crowned to finish out the event
Participation was open to contestants from all areas and participants hailed from towns far and wide such as Wadley, Roanoke, Cusseta, Opelika, Dadeville, Valley, Columbus, Jackson’s Gap, LaFayette, Auburn and Lanett.such as Wadley, Roanoke, Cusseta, Opelika, Dadeville, Valley, Columbus, Jackson’s Gap, LaFayette, Auburn and Lanett.
Coming in first place to win Tiny Miss LaFayette Main Street was Lakelynn Moultrie who was joined by 1st Alternate Sadie Rose Cristan, 2nd Alternate Addison Scott and 3rd Alternate Haleigh Bailey.
Finishing first place for Little Miss LaFayette Main Street was Kaselynn Taylor who was joined by 1st Alternate Hadlee Spark, 2nd Alternate Ava Wall and 3rd Alternate Mia McDaniel.
Taking first place for Young Miss LaFayette Main Street was Hollis Ann Whitfield who was joined by 1st Alternate Saylor Ayers and 2nd Alternate Skylar Andrews.
Miss LaFayette Main Street Photogenic went to Saylor Ayers, Miss People’s Choice went to Alenthia Ware, winning Miss LaFayette Main Street was Ansley Carter, winning Junior Miss LaFayette Main Street was Kameryn Mayton and Ansley Carter also won the People’s Choice and Kameryn Mayton won the Ms. Photogenic award.
Contest category winners and runners up posed for portraits after the crownings were completed.
LaFayette Main Street Executive Director Deanna K. Hand spoke with the LaFayette Sun at the end of the event and remarked “Today was absolutely amazing. I think all of the girls had a really good time. They were all very excited. Each of our contestants received a free manicure from Small Town Nail Spa. That made them really excited. They met new friends. They met people from all over the State of Alabama. We had people that traveled as far as Alabaster and Roanoke, Lanett, Valley, LaFayette, Opelika, Auburn area. It brought new people into our town. People here that have visited who have been able to shop that have never been to LaFayette. That was really exciting to bring new people into our town and then also let our locals meet new people.”
