COURTLAND—This Saturday, Feb. 8, 14 Southampton High School girls will take to the stage for the 11th annual Miss SHS Pageant.

The young ladies will be competing in two categories. There are five contestants in Young Miss, and 9 for Miss SHS. Specific portions for the judges include school and community service, interviewing, fashion wear, evening wear and an on-stage question-and-answer session.

Melissa Edwards and Renee Markivich are the SGA sponsors who have been helping produce the event for the past six years. Edwards said the experience is a good one for the girls and the community.

“The girls really learn a lot of interview skills,” she said. “They also do a lot of community service as a group, and they get to know people in the community better.”

This year, the charity being supported is the Trooper Hill Toy Drive, and Robert Hill Jr. will be a judge. Melia Hill, a daughter, is a SHS senior and as the homecoming queen, will also be involved.

“The pageant girls have already donated $2,000 to Trooper Hill this year,” Edwards said. “Students in the classroom around the girls have been affected by the generosity of what Trooper Hill does around the holiday season.”

In the Young Miss category are Charlotte Cifers, Ann Jackson Edwards, Elizabeth Eom, Jesse Fox and Olivia Geoff, all sophomores.

In the Miss category are: Madison Alderman, junior; Travesha Anderson, senior; Zoe Beale, senior; Jax Dwyer, senior; Amber Gurganus, senior; Amanda Hewett, senior; Kiara Jordan, senior; Katie Mein, senior; and Avá Morton, junior.

Emceeing the event are SGA president Ellis Cofield III, and SGA Vice President Nicole Brown.

“This being my fourth year helping out with the Miss SHS Fashion Pageant, I am honored to Emcee this outstanding event,” Cofield said. “Each of the contestants are beautiful, remarkable and phenomenal individuals.

“They have made such an amazing impact on both the school and community.”

Brown said that she was honored and excited to help out.

“Being SGA vice president and a basketball cheerleader I knew I could help more by working with directing and emceeing,” she said. “Each and every girl participating is unique and beautiful and their own way. They all give back not only to the school, but also the community through the Trooper Hill Toy Drive.

“I believe whoever the judges may choose that they will represent SHS in a positive way.”

Scoring will be based on 10 percent community service, 10 percent school service, 15 percent preliminary interview, 15 percent the Q&A, and then in the fashion categories, 10 percent denim on denim, 15 percent trend-setting fashion, 15 percent high fashion and 10 percent evening wear.

Young Miss Contestants

Charlotte Cifers is the daughter of James and Tia Cifers. She is an SGA member and a part of the journalism/yearbook team. She describes her fashion and personality as quirky with a little punk thrown in.

Ann Jackson Edwards, is the daughter of Drew and Kathy Jo Edwards. She was the scorekeeper for the school volleyball team her freshman year and she was a member of the Junior Varsity team this year. She is in her second year as a member of Key Club and she was recently inducted into Beta Club. She describes her style and personality as sophisticated, yet sassy.

Elizabeth Eom is the daughter of John and Kim Eom. She is a pianist who shares her talents with her church family, a member of Virginia Korean United Methodist Church’s youth group, and a firm believer in God. She is a very school spirited young lady who encourages her peers to get involved and make a difference in the world, one step at a time.

Olivia Goff is a proud member of both National Junior Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. Olivia is also a part of the Gifted Art program at the Rawls Museum Arts. She considers her fashion as well as her personality to be simply relaxed, but with a unique spark.

Jessie Fox is the daughter of Connie Knapp and Tony Fox. She is the vice president of the sophomore class, active member of the Key Club and SGA. Jessie is part of the school’s cross country and track team.

 

Miss SHS Contestants

Madison Alderman is the daughter of Blair Alderman and Jason Holloman. She participates in the gifted art program at the Rawls Art Museum. Her personality is described as bubbly and high-spirited, while her fashion sense is fierce, with a touch of sparkle.

Travesha Anderson is the daughter of Tynecia and Shaton Simpson. She is an officer of the S.T.R.E.T.C.H. project and a member of the Student Government Association. She is passionate about children and her goal is to be a pediatrician. She describes herself as a sophisticated fashionista.

Zoe Beale is the daughter of Benny and Donna Beale. She is an SGA officer, a member of National Honor Society, and Skills USA officer, and works in the Southampton Preschool Center. She uses the words “unique” and “unconventional” to describe her fashion.

Jacquelin Brigid Dwyer, better known as Jax, is the daughter of Lynda and Damian Dwyer. She is involved in Key Club, National Honors Society and varsity football cheerleading. She volunteers in community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Restore and Texie Camp Marks Children Center. Jax will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University next fall to major in fashion merchandising.

Amber Gurganus is the daughter of Edward and Lois Gurganus. She is the president of the Christian Club and played a role in the new S.T.R.E.T.C.H. program at SHS/SMS where she was elected President. She loves participating in the Early Childhood program at Southampton. Amber describes her style as comfortable and casual.

Amanda Hewett is the daughter of Robin Hewett and sister of Melisa Hewett. She is a member of the SGA and a proud varsity football cheerleader. Amanda participates in community activities including Relay For Life and attends Grace Memorial United Methodist Church.

She enjoys the Early Childhood program and hopes to have a career working with children in the future.

Kiara Jordan is the daughter of Kristen and Greg Reynolds. She is a member of the Southampton High School Student Government Association, the TLC and Early Childhood Program. She describes her personality and fashion as cool and casual with a flirty side.

Katie Mein is the daughter of Jimmy and Holly Mein. Katie stays involved with SHS activities along with her focus on academics. She is the secretary of the National Honor Society, active member of the Key Club, Student Government Association and Beta Club. She describes her style as always in season and up to date with the latest trends.

Avá Morton is the daughter of Cynthina and Lewis Nicholson. In her first year at SHS she has become a part of the Teen Library Council and Art Club. She describes herself as classically simple yet with an urban twist.

The event will be at the Southampton High School Auditorium Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children elementary age and younger may enter for free when accompanied by an adult.