Girls Rule Pageant brings out laughter, emotions

Fathers and daughters waited eagerly for the two winners to be crowned.
Photo by Daria Laycock

Kazdn Harrison
Junior Miss Girls Rule winner

Avery Allen
Little Miss Girls Rule winner

By Daria Laycock
Outlook writer

Nerves, talent and fashion were on full display by a group of little girls who put on a big show in the Work Force Development building  on TCC’s campus.

 
Before the four girls got through the Miss Girls Rule Pageant, they left some in the audience laughing uncontrollably. Some even shed a tear for the splendor that the girls displayed this past Friday night.

 
The contestants opened the competition with each one depicting their favorite character – dress and all.

 
The second round was a demonstration of talent. The audience was treated to two songs, a beat poem and even a violin arrangement.
At least one contestant needed a little help handling the moment. Little Avery Seliah Allen sent the audience into laughter when,during her performance, she ran into the outstretched arms of her mother, who was waiting in the wings.

 
The tender moment even brought a tear to the eye of some in the crowd.

 
The girls’ fathers also got an opportunity to share the spotlight during the Strong Family Ties segment.

 
Dressed in their formal attire, the young ladies were escorted by their fathers down a middle aisle between the audience. At the end of the walk each father and daughter posed for pictures while a list of their accomplishments were read aloud.

 
Between each round, Legacy School of the Arts and the Maddox Youth Dance Company from Gadsden County entertained the crowd.

 
Each contestant received a check for a portion of the sponsorship money they raised leading up to the event. The girls will also be taken on an all inclusive trip to the nation’s capital.

 
While each girl who participated is considered a winner, there were only two crowns. Ultimately Alexandria Washington, Miss Black Florida and Girls Rule Ambassador, crowned Avery Seliah Allen and Kazdn Phoenix Lichelle Harrison Little Miss and Junior Miss Girls Rule in the organization’s inaugural pageant.

 
The message of the pageant was not lost. The winner  Kazdn Phoenix Lichelle Harrison made a plea to girls who may feel like they cannot accomplish their goals.

 
“Stand up for yourself, be whoever you want to be,” Harrison said. “Just say that you can do it and keep on trying.”