Everyone is “wild” for Miss Cherokeean!

Each year, Gaffney High School Indian Post hosts the Miss Cherokeean pageant. This year’s theme was “Into the Wild.” There were two categories: casual wear and formal wear with an interview process Saturday morning. Thirty-three young ladies competed for various crowns and awards, including their grade level crown. The pageant opened with each girl participating in a choreographed dance to “Roar” by Katy Perry. Then, each contestant showcased her casual wear, along with a short speech about what “Into the Wild” means to them. Ashley Booker performed several piano solos before the pageant began; Bre Surratt and Destinee Anderson were the night’s entertainment.

Senior girls competed confidently for their last chance at a crown; Mabryn Stanley was crowned Miss Cherokeean 2017 alongside Samantha Stepp as Miss Senior. Stanley says her only regret is “not participating in the past years.”

Stepp, who was also a first-year contestant, said the pageant made her “recognize qualities about myself that I hadn’t realized before.”

Oralia Orozco says of the pageant: “One of my New Years’ resolutions was to be more outgoing and I knew the pageant was the perfect opportunity.”

Kensley Pringle, a senior, agrees with Orozco, saying that “I have been able to step outside of my comfort zone and onto a stage in front of not only my peers, but the public, and practice some valuable skills such as stage manner and charisma.” She says that the interview portion of the pageant helped give her experience for future interviews “in the real world.”

Sabrina Bellew says she enjoyed the pageant, although she had had a “very cynical view towards pageants and their actual purpose.” She says she now sees why so many girls participate in them, despite the outcome.

Along with Stepp and Stanley, Joriah Thompson was crowned Miss Junior, Precious Smith took home Miss Sophomore, and Ana Joy Hulsey was crowned Miss Freshman. Along with the crowns, contestants also received academic awards based on their grade point average (GPA); Samantha Stepp received the senior class award, Alli McCraw for the junior class, Bradey Cunningham for the sophomore class, and Christy Bolin for the freshman class. Community service, people’s choice, and spirit awards were also given out. These winners were: Stephanie Barnett (12th), Samantha Stepp (12th), and McKayla Byars (12th).