High Country Princesses Crowned

By Allison Canter

The Fifth Annual Princess of the High Country Pageant, an Official Preliminary to the Princess of North Caro-

lina State Scholarship Pageant, was held on Saturday, Jan. 24. Little Miss through Miss interviews were held at 2:30 p.m. The on-stage competition, directed by Lisa Osborne, got underway at the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson at 4 p.m.

The Wee Miss Princess of the High Country was Rayna Christian, and the overall Mini-Majestic Princess of the High Country was Kenadie Hudler. The Little Miss Princess of the High Country was Kaitlyn Jordan. The Junior Miss Princess of the High Country was Katie Edwards. The Young Miss Princess of the High Country was Amber Lane. Teen Miss Princess of the High Country was Orla Winner. Overall Majestic Princess of the High Country was Brittany Shepherd and the Miss Princess of the High Country was Lisa Patel.

Age divisions included Baby Miss for 15 to 30-months-old; Wee Miss for 31 months to three year olds; Tiny Miss for four to six year olds; Little Miss for seven to nine year olds; Junior Miss for 10 to 12 year olds; Young Miss for 13 to 15-year olds; Teen Miss for 16 to 18-year olds; and Miss for 19 to 26-year-old.

The Princess of the High Country Queens received full round crowns and the Overall Majestic winners re-ceived a large round crown and royalty scepters. The Mini-Majestic, zero to six years, received beauty fees paid in the state competition and the Majestic, seven years and up, received her talent and beauty fees paid in the state competition.

Beauty and Casual Wear was mandatory competitions for all contestants. The talent competition was manda-tory for the Little Miss and Miss Majestic. Optional competitions offered included Photogenic, Best Casual Wear, Best Dress, Sleepwear for Baby, Wee and Tiny Miss and Talent for Little Miss and up. In the Photo-genic competition, contestant's head shot was placed in a 5x7 or 8x10 plastic cover with no frames and no enhancements. Best Casual Wear was judged on casual wear outfits. Best Dress was judged on pageant dresses. Sleepwear for the Baby, Wee and Tiny Miss was judged on sleepwear outfits with no restrictions. The talent routine for Little Miss and up was judged on technique, style, execution and costume. All optional age division winners received medallions.

Age division winners received a large round crown, monogrammed satin wrap banners, designer trophy and Beauty Fees paid to the 2009 Princess of North Carolina State Pageant.

The Mini-Majestic winners received a large round crown, monogrammed satin banner, royalty scepter, de-signer trophy and beauty fees paid to the Princess of North Carolina State Pageant. The Majestic winner re-ceived a large round crown, monogrammed satin banner, royalty scepter, designer trophy and beauty and talent fees paid to the Princess of North Carolina State Pageant.

"I would like to say thank you to all of the parents and contestants for making the pageant such a success," said director Lisa Osborne. "It was such a beautiful group of girls and, in my opinion, they are all winners. I am looking forward to an exciting year with my new queens."

For more information about Princess of the High Country Pageants, click to www.princessofnc.com, e-mail Director Lisa Osborne at Lisaoz@skybest.com or call (336) 982-3603 or (336) 977-0909.