By By Janet Little Cooper
Eleven contestants graced the stage Friday night during the inaugural Miss Escambia County Middle School Pageant, which was made possible with the help of Escambia County High School.
"Overall, it was a success," first-year Escambia County Middle School principal Zickeyous Byrd said. "I was proud of the students that participated and I was proud of the large turnout we had from family and friends; it was a great event. I especially want to thank Mrs. Andrea' Hodges and Mrs. LaShondra Marshall from the high school for their help."
Hodges, a teacher at ECHS, and Marshall, ECHS bookkeeper, played a huge role in helping faculty and staff at ECMS organize the event.
"We held it as an outlet to give our young ladies something to look forward to each year," Byrd said.
Byrd estimated that there were more than 300 guests in attendance during the pageant.
In addition to going down in history as ECMS' first-ever queen, Karshella Purifoy received $200 for winning. First runner-up Joslin Frye was awarded $100 and second runner-up Samantha Byrd took home $50. Michaela Norman was named Top Sponsor and was awarded $100. The eighth grader had the most sponsors during the event.
Contestants were judged on physical fitness, formal wear, casual wear, contestant introductions and interviews with the judges.
Below is a listing of how each contestant was introduced during the pageant:
Samantha Lauren Byrd
Grade: 8th
Parents: Kulua and Douglas Byrd
Grandparents: Betty and Thomas McGhee &Earline and Chester Byrd
Favorite School Subject: Social Studies
Hobbies: Swimming and Singing
School Activities: Scholar's Bowl and Future Business Leaders of America Club
Career Goal: Lawyer
College Choice: University of South Alabama
Motivational Saying: "Live life in the present, because you can never predict the future."
Joslin Mona Frye
Grade: 8th
Parents: Jacqueline and Carl Staples, Jr.
Grandparents: Mrs. Dorothy Dale and Celia and Carl Staples, Sr.
Favorite School Subject: Science
Hobbies: Basketball and Shopping
School Activities: Volleyball and Track Team
Career Goal: International Physical Therapist
College Choice: Spellman University
Motivational Saying: "Quitters never accomplish their goals."
Whitney Vona Johnson
Grade: 8th
Parents: Eunice &Charles Johnson
Grandparents: Beatrice and Jimmie Lee Johnson
Favorite School Subject: Social Studies
Hobbies: Listening to music, reading, and watching television
School Activities: Volleyball
Career Goal: Registered Nurse
College Choice: Auburn University
Motivational Saying: "Stand for what is right even if you have to stand alone."
Emily O' Keevia Nicole Jones
Grade: 8th
Parents: Minnie &Howard Jones
Favorite School Subject: Math &P.E
Hobbies: Watching television, talking on the phone, traveling, &listening to music
School Activities: Future Business Leaders of America
Career Goal: Licensed Practical Nurse
College Choice: Reid State Technical College
Motivational Saying: "I will go the long mile to succeed in life"
Dominique Jeta' Knight
Grade: 7th
Parents: Angela &Thomas Knight, Sr.
Grandparents: Lula and Leroy Knight
Favorite School Subject: Language Arts
Hobbies: Listening to music, singing, dancing, watching television, and playing games
School Activities: Spanish
Career Goal: Pediatrician
College Choice: Alabama State University
Motivational Saying: "If I don't win this year, I'll try next year"
Michaela TaMill Norman
Grade: 8th
Parents: Lawrence and LaShonda Marshall and Mr. Michael Norman
Grandparents: Mrs. Lydia Wilson and the late Mr. James Wilson and Mrs. Wilma Wilson and the late Charles Robinson
Favorite School Subject: Science
Hobbies: Cheerleading, playing softball, basketball, shopping, and dancing
Career Goal: Meteorologist
College Choice: Stillman College or Jackson State University
Motivational Saying: "Tough times don't last, but tough people do."
Karshella Ja'Brae Purifoy
Grade: 8th
Parents: Tangela &Earl Purifoy, Sr.
Grandparents: Dorothy and James Lee
Favorite School Subject: Social Studies
Hobbies: Listening to music, singing, dancing, watching television, and playing games
School Activities: Student Council President and Future Business Leaders of America
Career Goal: Professional Model
College Choice: University of Miami
Motivational Saying: "Shoot for the moon, for if you miss, you will always range among the stars."
Shanika Shanell Rabb
Grade: 8th
Parents: Kwanza Rabb and Rodrick Lee
Grandparents: Barbara Rabb and Sidney Jean Lee
Favorite School Subject: Pre-algebra
Hobbies: Riding four wheelers, cheering, and hanging out with friends
School Activities: Future Business Leaders of America
Career Goal: Pediatrician
College Choice: Alabama State University
Motivational Saying: "You always miss 100 percent of the shoots you don't take."
Sierra Simone Redmond
Grade: 8th
Parents: Stephanie &Alphonso McMillan and Michael Johnson
Grandparents: Dorothy McMillan and the late George McMillan
Favorite School Subject: Math
Hobbies: Cheerleading and playing softball
School Activities: Future Business Leaders of America
Career Goal: Criminal Lawyer
College Choice: Livingston University
Motivational Saying: "What won't kill you will only make you stronger."
Tryshieka Tichelle Sanders
Grade: 8th
Parents: Latonya and Robbie Sanders
Grandparents: Elnetta Thomas, Annie Hudson, Cenny McWharter, and Chris Robert "Snap" James
Favorite School Subject: Social Studies
Hobbies: Shopping and traveling
Career Goal: Doctor
College Choice: Tennessee State University
Motivational Saying: "Keep your head up and never stop trying to accomplish your dreams."
Katurah Fanettra Stallworth
Grade: 8th
Parents: Linda and Ellis Stallworth
Grandparents: Clara and James Harris
Favorite School Subject: Business Technology Essentials
Hobbies: Enjoys dancing and ballet &piano lessons
School Activities: Future Business Leaders of America
Career Goal: Child Psychologist
College Choice: Alabama State University
Motivational Saying: "If you fail to plan you plan to fail."