Brookhaven Lions celebrate 76th annual beauty pageant

Published 8:00 pm Friday, August 10, 2018

Forty-three girls, ages 1-20, graced the stage at the 76th annual Lions Club Beauty Pageant, one of the state’s longest-running pageants, on July 14.

Lions president Jim Hickman opened the pageant at 3 p.m. with a welcome, invocation, pledge, announcements and introduction of this year’s master of ceremonies, Stephanie Bullock. Bullock introduced the judges, which were Ashlee Belcher and Savannah Belcher, both Biloxi natives, and WLBT-3 meteorologist Barbie Bassett. Tabulator was Debbie Bessonette of Brookhaven.

Originally known as the Lions Water Carnival when it began in 1943, the annual pageant has been a Brookhaven tradition for more than seven decades and is the club’s primary fundraising event.

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Winners

Laura Elizabeth “Liza” Nettles, daughter of Billy Joe Nettles and Amy Irby, was named queen of the pageant at the end of the evening. Other winners in the age 17-20 category were second-place winner Taylor Brooke Berch, daughter of Nathan and Leighia Grayson; and third-place winner Abagail Grace Smith, daughter of Lance and Christy Smith.

Age 1-2 category winners were first-place winner Saylor Rae Mazzei, daughter of Pasquale and Ashley Mazzei; second-place winner Swayzee Lynne Reynolds, daughter of Chase and Whitney Reynolds; and third-place winner Evelyn Jane Brister, daughter of Grant and Maggie Brister.

Winners of the “Extras” contest in the 1-2 year-old division were Swayzee Lynne Reynolds for best hair and prettiest eyes, and Kinley Carroll Woolley, daughter of Kyle and Tiffany Woolley, for prettiest smile and most photogenic.

Age 3-4 category winners were first-place winner Ava Kate Lofton, daughter of Will and Kelli Lofton; second-place winner Presley Forehand, daughter of Levi and Bailey Forehand; and third-place winner Maggie Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Hal and Kelli Miller.

Winners of the “Extras” contest in the 3-4 year-old division were Presley Forehand for prettiest smile; Ava Kate Lofton for most photogenic; Braylee Russell, daughter of Keith and Kellie Russell, for prettiest eyes; and Ella Hope Smith, daughter of Ryan and Bridget Smith, for best hair.

Age 5-6 category winners were first-place winner Abigail Russell, daughter of Keith and Kellie Russell; and second-place winner Scout Monroe, daughter of Matt and Dondie Monroe.

Winners of the “Extras” contest in the 5-6 year-old division were Scout Monroe for best hair; and Abigail Russell for prettiest smile, prettiest eyes and most photogenic.

Age 7-8 category winners were first-place winner Gracelyn Adelle Jarreau, daughter of Wayne and Michelle Jarreau; second-place winner Miley Ann Grice, daughter of Chris and Kelly Grice; and third-place winner Adley Milane Ready, daughter of Dee and Kristen Ready.

Winners of the “Extras” contest in the 7-8 year-old division were Miley Ann Grice for prettiest smile; Gracelyn Adelle Jarreau for most photogenic; Maggie Claire McDaniel, daughter of Allen and Robin McDaniel, for prettiest eyes; and Karah Claire Stigall, daughter of Amber Bergeron and Arin Stigall, for best hair.

Age 9-10 category winners were first-place winner Emma Claire King, daughter of Jared and Amanda King; second-place winner Micah Claire Lowe, daughter of Micah and Stephany Lowe; and third-place winner Bella Newsome, daughter of Amber Bergeron and Greg Newsome.

Winners of the “Extras” contest in the 9-10 year-old division were Alyssa Michelle Jarreau, daughter of Wayne and Michelle Jarreau, for best hair; and Micah Claire Lowe for prettiest smile, prettiest eyes and most photogenic.

Age 11-12 category winners were first-place winner Charlie Ann Carr, daughter of Charles and Hope Carr; and second-place winner Taylor Grace Hutchinson, daughter of Kevin and Beth Hutchinson. No entries in “Extras.”

Age 13-14 category winners were first-place winner Carleigh Gail Brocato, daughter of Ken and Chasity Smith, and Brad Brocato; and second-place winner Macy Lee Carney, daughter of Corey and Brandy Carney. No entries in “Extras.”