MINT HILL, NC – Thirty-four contestants competed in the Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant at Veterans Park on Saturday, October 23. Open to girls ages 1-20 who live within a 75-mile radius of Mint Hill, the pageant’s purpose is two-fold.
“We want to help to provide scholarship money to Miss Mint Hill as well as creating a court of young people to help serve the Mint Hill Community throughout the next year,” said Pageant Director Julie Greg. “Pageants in general are a great way to build self cofidence and interview and public speaking skills.”
Contestants in all seven age groups from Baby Miss (ages 1-2) to Miss Mint Hill (high school seniors through 20 years old) took part in three required competitions: Photogenic, Robinson Orthodontics Best Smile, and Beauty. Additionally, “Miss” contestants each participated in a private interview with the judges prior to the pageant. All contestants were asked to collect donations for Servant’s Heart; the contestant who collected the largest amount was crowned Miss Mint Hill’s Community Service Queen.
Contestants were scored by judges Carrie Flock, Emily Miner, Sara Grace Todd and Taylor Foley on beauty, poise and personality. The young woman selected as Miss Mint Hill is above all a representative for the Town of Mint Hill, a young woman able to relate comfortably to children and adults and able to speak with ease at public events throughout the year. Some of her duties include attending events like the Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade, the Mint Hill Senior Citizen Luncheon, the Easter Party at the Mint Hill Senior Living Center, National Night Out, and the 2022 Mint Hill Madness Festival.
After each contestant took the stage and the judges deliberated, the Miss Mint Hill 2021 Court was crowned! Sadie Shrewsbury was crowned Baby Miss Mint Hill, Crosby Bell Austin was crowned Tiny Miss Mint Hill, Kaidryn Holly-Ann Mayo was crowned Little Miss Mint Hill, Saylor Cruz was crowned Young Miss Mint Hill, Avrie Kohl Edwards was crowned Junior Miss Mint Hill, and Shelby Stegall was crowned Teen Miss Mint Hill.
The title of Miss Mint Hill and grand prize of $1000 furnished by Robinson Orthodontics went to Kayla Bigley, who also won Photogenic and Best Smile in the Miss Division. The first runner up in the Miss division and winner of a $300 scholarship was Shelby Marie Semones, and the second runner up and winner of a $200 scholarship was Caroline Myers-Ashing. Kayla Bigley also took home $100 from Todd Younker State Farm insurance as the Interview winner.
“Amazing,” said Bigley when asked how it felt to be crowned Miss Mint Hill 2021. “I love that I’m going to bring a local title to my hometown. I live in Matthews, so it’s amazing to be the Miss and represent our town; I feel like I can do it well. I’m looking forward to working with my court and also my own platform Belle’s Books.”
The overall Photogenic winner was Avrie Kohl Edwards from the Junior Miss Division, who also took home first place in her own division. Reagan Daisy McDonald was crowned the Miss Mint Hill Community Service Queen for collecting the largest donation for A Servant’s Heart. Overall, pageant contestants collected $2791 for A Servant’s Heart of Mint Hill.
The Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant is just the start of a great night of entertainment at Veteran’s Park. The Marine Corp Band Sounds Downrange took the stage at 2:45, and Jake Haldenvang will rock the park at 4:00 with searing guitar solos you won’t believe! The main event, Eagles Tribute Band On the Border, plays at 7:30 followed by the biggest fireworks show in the Southeast!