Pageants increase scholarship amounts given to participants

In a sea of excitement sprinkled with a lot of sparkles, the annual Dublin pageants took place over St. Patrick’s Day week.

Organized by a subcommittee of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Dublin ambassador pageants took to the intermediate school stage Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 16.

As this year’s pageants got underway, participants dedicated weeks to practice and selling raffle tickets to aid the pageant funds and this year those prizes increased with Miss Dublin receiving a $1,250 scholarship, First runner up earning $750 and Second runner up earning $500.

“I would like to thank the committee for all of their hard work to make the pageant a success. I want to thank all of our sponsors for the Junior and Miss Dublin girls: without their support raising the scholarship amounts would not have been possible,” Chamber board member and pageant organizer Kristi Watkins said. “We were able to use their contributions for more of the pageant expenses and that way ticket sales could be focused on scholarships. We appreciate all of the community support. I want to congratulate all of the winners as well as all those who participated. I hope everyone has grown from this experience and we see the pageant continue to grow in coming years.”

Judges for the event were Elizabeth Stephens, Mary Sheemaker, Shannon McKinnon and Mattie Stephens. The pageant committee consisted of Kristi Watkins, Madison Phillipson, Adrian Salinas, Debbie Charles, Rhonda Chew, Tanna Tidmore, Jesslea Johnson and Shannon Foster, Jacklyn Baugh and Deanna Turley assisted with Little Miss Dublin only. Banking representatives Jennifer Lowery, Kim Stone and Jessie Martinez were on-hand to tabulate, ensuring correct calculations in the crowning.

The suspense was palpable in Dublin Intermediate Auditorium as the crowd waited for the 2024 Little Miss Dublin to be crowned Thursday night.

Kindergartener Avianna Noyola was doubly awarded in the Little Miss Dublin pageant on Thursday, March 14 at Dublin Intermediate School as she took the title of Little Miss Dublin and Little Miss Sweetheart. Noyola is the daughter of Julia Macias and Enrique Noyola Jr.

Hostess Deanna Turley announced the Little Miss sweetheart win before the main award, saying the pageant coordinators picked Noyola for being prompt to every practice, helping other contestants whenever it was needed and having a positive attitude.

Immediately after the ‘congeniality win’, the judge’s decision was announced for Noyola to take the title of Little Miss Dublin as Miss Dublin 2023 Joli St. Germain, Jr. Miss Dublin Tylor Nail and Little Miss Dublin Kennedy Reese came on stage to present her with the crown, sash and trophy.

First runner-up was presented to kindergartener Cami Sanchez, daughter of Maricarmen Pantoja and Jose Sanchez.

Second runner-up was presented to kindergartener Priscilla Loflin, daughter of Laura Garcia and Clarence Loflin.

Kindergartener Litzy Rodriguez, daughter of Chino and Maria Rodriguez, claimed most tickets sold with 800 tickets.

Turley announced several contestants sold more than 500 tickets including Rodriguez, Dylan Stone, Sanchez, and Gracie Hall. Each one of the girls who sold more than 500 tickets will receive $100. All together, Little Miss Dublin contestants sold $3906 worth of tickets.

Contestants were led on the stage by escort Griffin Eads and off the stage by escort Cooper Hagood. As each walked across the stage, Turley announced the candidates’ answers to a variety of questions including favorite movies (which revealed a lot of “Little Mermaid” fans as well as other picks like “Mulan” and “My Life as a Teenage Kraken”), favorite foods and what they like most about Dublin. Midway through the pageant, Turley asked each what they liked about the tea party hosted March 3 at First National Bank’s The Station to which many said they enjoyed spending time with friends and the treats and activities provided.

On Friday night, a full house welcomed contestants for the Miss Dublin and Junior Miss Dublin pageants, where Miss Dublin 2023 Joli St. Germain and Junior Miss Dublin Tylor Nail helped crown the winners.

Miss Dublin and Junior Miss Dublin contestants were scored on an interview portion that took place on March 3, prior to the pageant, and both pageant contestants modeled sportswear and formal wear during the pageant. Miss Dublin contestants were also asked an onstage question. Miss Dublin contestants also presented a commercial for each one of their sponsors.

Junior and Miss Dublin contestants were sponsored by local businesses and all contestants sold raffle tickets to raise funds for scholarships.

Together, all pageant contestants sold $8,807 tickets with Little Miss Dublin contestants selling $3,906, Junior Miss Dublin contestants selling $1709 and Miss Dublin contestants selling $3,162. Winners of $100 from the raffle were Ashli Sharp, Jason Williams and Shawn Bradford. All prizes can be picked up at the chamber office at the end of the week, organizers said.

As the Miss Dublin and Junior Miss Dublin contestants showed poise and grace while modeling outfits, judges had their work cut out for them as they chose winners among a beautiful, intelligent and eloquent group of young women.

Escorts for the pageants included Jaxon Salinas and Alessandro Moreno for Junior Miss Dublin and Elijah Gonzales and Hayden Millburn for the Miss Dublin contestants.

Ultimately, NavaLee White, a junior at Dublin High School, was crowned as Miss Dublin 2024. She is the daughter of Anna Rodriguez and Jason Glueck. Nicole Foster, a junior, received first runner up and Madison Turley, a senior, received second runner up. Miss Congeniality, which is voted on by the other contestants, was senior Paige Wilson. Isabelle Grose was awarded Most Photogenic based on photos that were turned in during the interview portion of the pageant on March 3. Most Ticket Sales, with 1,148 tickets, was awarded to Madison Turley.

In the Junior Miss Dublin pageant, Scarlett Salazar was crowned as Junior Miss Dublin 2024. She is the daughter of Oscar and Maricruz Salazar. First runner up was Natalie Fulbright and second runner up was Kenzie Gaitan. Clara Lanting was awarded as Most Ticket Sales, selling 571 tickets. Charlotte Meador was awarded as most photogenic and Evelyn Akard was awarded as Miss Congeniality.

During the pageants, emcee Madison Phillipson read biography information about each contestant.

All of the Miss Dublin winners will continue to represent Dublin at a variety of events in the upcoming year and will receive their scholarships at the end of that year.