COURTLAND
Due to the weather and poor driving conditions in some parts of the county, the 12th Miss Southampton High School Fashion Pageant has been moved a week back to Saturday, Feb. 28.

Sixteen students will compete for 24 awards, with the biggest being Young Miss SHS for freshmen and sophomores, and Miss SHS for juniors and seniors. The proceeds from business donations, individual contestant fundraising and ticket sales will be given to the local Trooper Hill Toy Drive charity, as well as the Southampton High School Relay For Life Team. Funds raised by the SGA will support the student activities for the 2015-2016 school year and attending the Virginia High School League Leadership Conference.

Tickets can be bought from a SGA student or at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and all children elementary school age and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

“We ask the community to come support these young ladies striving for excellence through school and charities,” said Melissa Edwards, co-chair for the event.

The ladies are judged on personality, community service, confidence, communication skills and fashion while trying to find the best young lady to represent Southampton High School. The process started in November, when each student had to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and three teacher recommendations.

In December, the girls collected household items and raised funds through the water bottle change challenge for a family that lost their home in a fire. They donated two packed boxes of items and a check for $490.08 they had collected through donations and their own spare change.

The theme this year is “Global Glam!” Contestants will be judged on a preliminary interview; opening walk and introduction; trend-setting fashion; high fashion; evening gown; and a question and answer session.

The contestants are, Young Miss: Kelby Lewis, Alexandra Paisley, Maya Riddick and Taylor Rountree. Miss: Madison Alderman, Michaela Bernocco, Rachel Brown, Brooklyn Carpenter, Olivia Goff, Alexandra Holt, Kiera Lockwood, Wilmisha Porter, Cassidy McLain, Leighanne Teel, Sydney Walton and Tia Wilkerson.

“The contestants have been practicing for the pageant production for months,” Edwards said. “The pageant encourages these young ladies not only in fashion, but also in skills that will take them past high school, hopefully boost their confidence and poise.”