By Staff
The "Miss Williams Station" pageant was held Saturday, February 2 in Atmore at ECHS Hodnette auditorium. The pageant, which is a preliminary for the Miss Alabama/Miss America scholarship programs was open to all young women residing or attending school in Alabama.
In 2001 the first "Miss Williams Station" preliminary was held. Miss Rachel Haynes was the winner. At "Miss Alabama" Rachel was in the top 107 and was awarded scholarship money.
This year miss Amy Drake was crowned "Miss Williams Station 2002." Amy is from Birmingham. Last year there were seven young ladies competing, this year there were 16 contestants with six on the waiting list. The contestants families came for the weekend and enjoyed Atmore's hospitality.
The Best Western Hotel provided accommodations for contestants' families and Miss Alabama 1995, Leigh Shearer, who was mistress of ceremonies. Flowers were provided by Atmore Florist, and the bouquets were lovely. The Atmore Advance was invaluable in getting out the word so that Atmore and the surrounding area would be aware of the pageant and be in attendance. An audience of nearly 400 were entertained by the contestants who's talents ranged from classical piano, to opera, to pointe ballet to tap, and good old fashioned clogging.
The Atmore dance department, under the direction of Miss Reed Adams, entertained the audience with pre-school dancers through the adult students so that there was never a lull in the evenings entertainment.
The Escambia County Middle School dance team performed in their first large scale stage show and delighted the audience. The Escambia County Middle School band directed by Ms. Debra Smith performed the overture and later in the evening accompanied the dance team.
The five state judges were treated to dinner at David's Catfish, as they were the previous year. "Atmore businesses are always quick to offer their services, and these projects would not be successful without them", said Amber Adams preliminary director.
Mr. James Helton and Audio Plus are responsible for providing all arts council projects with state of the art' sound. Mr. Helton is professional in everything he does, and the arts council would not wish to produce anything without his participation.
women, Miss Atmore is for girls tenth grade through twelfth and is in its' 25th year!
The children's classic, "Peter Pan" will be the summer project for the council. For more information on upcoming projects call 446-1170.