By Kylie Neel
This year’s Miss Juneteenth Pageant will be held from 7-10 p.m. Friday, June 10 on the campus of Grambling State University. This event marks the 40th year since its inception and the pageant is welcome to all between the ages of 7-19.
There are three divisions of this pageant: Little Miss Juneteenth for ages 7-10 years old, Miss Junior Juneteenth for ages 11-14 and Miss Juneteenth for ages 15-19.
The registration deadline for the Miss Juneteenth pageant is Saturday, May 7.
In 1982, the Miss Juneteenth Pageant was started by several citizens of the Grambling community. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, in conjunction with the City of Grambling, will host host this event during the Juneteenth festival. Young ladies who live Lincoln Parish and other surrounding parishes are encouraged to become involved.
Barbara McIntyre, who is involved with the Miss Juneteenth pageant, said this event means a lot to the community.
“I feel that the Miss Juneteenth Pageant affords a positive opportunity for the community to spotlight our young ladies while passing on our heritage to their generation,” McIntyre said. “It allows teachable moments on many levels and brings people to positive events within the community.”
The registration fee for the pageant is $60.00, and McIntyre said COVID-19 guidelines will be followed to ensure safety of the contestants and all those involved.
“We expect numbers to be in line with previous pageants with an eye to some hesitancy due to COVID -19.,” McIntyre said. “That said, we will abide by all current safety guidelines.”
Shirley Burns, one of the members of the sorority, said this event helps encourage positivity in young women.
“It creates a great environment for girls and young ladies to develop poise and self-awareness by participating,” Burns said.
Pageantry is a doorway for those who want to be on stage and learn more about themselves and what skills they have to offer. It can also prepare them for life after school. After all, while winning the crown and sash and trophy is a goal, not everyone comes out as a winner. However, the crowned contestants win a financial reward that could be used as an offset for college or professional training expenses.
“We are excited about 2022,” Beattie Osborne Street, the EAZ Miss Juneteenth Pageant chair, stated.
Applications can be found on Facebook pages at the “EAZ Chapter” and the “City of Grambling.” Also applications can be picked up at the Grambling City Hall, the Collegiate Shoppe, and the Dollar Tree in Grambling. In the city of Ruston, you can find applications at the Boys and Girls Club, Martha’s Fashion and some local churches.
