Royalty takes center stage

The 2008 Little Mister and Miss Houn’ Dawg, Miss Beagle and Little Miss Beagle took center stage at Pate Early Childhood Center this past Saturday afternoon with crowning of the new royalty.

The first pageant of the afternoon was Little Miss Houn’ Dawg.

There were 19 contestants in this year’s lineup and Amiah Erickson emerged as the new Little Miss Houn’ Dawg. She is the daughter of John and Victoria Erickson.

First runner-up is Kaysie Carr, daughter of Douglas and Amy Carr; while the second runner-up is Arielle Sumners, daughter of Toby and Denise Sumners.

Other contestants included: Chloe Ryan, daughter of Shawna and Shelly Ryan; Savannah Miller, daughter of Rick and Chantil Miller; Jacelyn Brinley, daughter of Marty and Sarah Brinley; Natalie Wallace, daughter of Jennifer Wallace;  Kayah Bynes, daughter of Daryl and LaDonna Bynes; Erin Blevins, daughter of Jeremy and Candy Blevins

Olivia Gibson, daughter of Robert and Sasha Gibson; Morgan Sanborn, daughter of Kim Sanborn; Lillie Bodeen, daughter of David and Julie Bodeen; Hailey Francisco, daughter of Steven and Sarah Francisco; Makiyla Bricker, daughter of Traci Bricker; Gabriella McVey, daughter of Monica McVey; Shelby Blevins, daughter of Carl and Nicole Blevins; Aiyana Barrett, daughter of Bobby Barrett and Rachel Barrett; Chassedy Pratt, daughter of Kerry and Chassedy Pratt; and Brookelynn Sandoval, daughter of Leann Sandoval.

Little Mister Houn’ Dawg

Six young boys competed for the title of Little Mister Houn’ Dawg in the next pageant.
Logan Lauffer, son of Matt and Audra Lauffer, claimed the title.  Nathan Cantor, son of Clara Cantor, took second runner-up, while Deuce Francisco, son of Steven and Sarah Francisco, earned third runner-up.
Other contestants were:  Ryan Clark, son of Ehren and Shawnna Clark;  Nicholas Miller, son of Amanda Miller and Alan Litchy; and Caden Mills, son of Tia Mills.

Little Miss Beagle

Contestants for Little Miss Beagle took their places before the crowd in the afternoon’s third pageant.

Winners here included:  Little Miss Beagle Annie Burdett, daughter of Jay and Elizabeth Burdett; first runner-up Kendell Meyer, daughter of Keith and Ann Meyer; and second runner-up Mikayla McGlothlin, daughter of Leah Vaught.

Other contestants were:  Morgan Cunnyngham, daughter of Mark and Charity Cunnyngham; Victoria Johnson, daughter of Donna Jackson; Brittany Sims, daughter of Justin and Jami Sims; Kailey Ryan, daughter of Shawn and Shelly Ryan; Josie Sanches, daughter of Susan and Joseph Sanches; Annie Besch, daughter of Kevin and Kris Besch; Nicole Stephenson, daughter of Gloria Williams and David Stephenson; Shariya Silk, daughter of Angie Silk; and Ashlyn Kirby, daughter of Bill and Dee Kirby.

Miss Beagle

The final pageant for the day was that of Miss Beagle. Kylie Vaught, daughter of Chad and Stephanie Vaught, claimed the title from among nine contestants. First runner-up was Becca Owens, daughter of Buck and Annette Owens, while Linday Wheeler, daughter of Rodger and Rhonda Wheeler, claimed the title of second runner-up.

Other contestants included: Allie Cooper, daughter of Shawn and Shelly Cooper; Makayla Bricker, daughter of Tracie Bricker; Hailey Jenkins, daughter of Rocky and Sherri Jenkins; Addison Kirby, daughter of Bill and Dee Kirby; Angel Johnson, daughter of Donna Jackson; and Megan Walker, daughter of David and Shannon Walker.

Judges

Serving as judges for the event were Jackie Counts, manager of Exec U Travel and Sunnyland Tours in Springfield; Mark Webb, who retired from the Springfield Police Department, is a student at American Justice School of Law and just completed an internship with the Green County Prosecutor’s Office; and Nancy Mills, an executive assistant at the Juanita K Hammmons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Theresa Sumners served as pageant coordinator.

Chamber officials thanked the following for their support of the event for the Aurora Chamber of Commerce:  the Aurora R-8 School District for the use of Pate Early Childhood Center; Jerry Barnes and Margie Bricker, for custodial assistance; Lisa and Doyle Ferguson with Aurora Greenhouses for the stage decorations; Community National Bank for $50 savings bonds; Sonic, Braums and Hardees for coupons for contestants; Theresa Sumners for goody bags, tiaras and crowns; Perfect Images for gift bags for title winners; The Aurora Advertiser for promoting the pageants; Dara Merritt, who tabulated scores; Harriett Shackleford, who worked admissions; Charle Ware, who provided piano music; and Lynn Gladney, Carrie Essary, Allison Schied, Melissa Chapman, Jennifer Woody and Shannon Walker for behind the scenes assistance.