Josie May Warhurst, 16, now a junior at Phil Campbell High School, has participated in the Phil Campbell Dream Girl pageant since seventh grade. It was in April, as a sophomore, that won the pageant to be named the 2021 Phil Campbell Dream Girl.

“I wasn’t expecting to win,” said Warhurst, “but it felt great. I was mostly in pageants when I was younger, other than the Phil Campbell Dream Girl pageant.”

Warhurst said she feels pageant participation provides a confidence booster for all involved.

“I’ve always liked participating in pageants,” she added. “Dressing up and putting on makeup is always so much fun, and I like getting to do that with my friends. I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate.”

She also won the categories of Most Photogenic and 10th-Grade Representative.

A member of the National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions and the volleyball team, Warhurst said she plans to attend Northwest-Shoals Community College and then transfer to the University of North Alabama to become a labor and delivery nurse.

Dream Girl pageant scoring was based not only on appearance but also on an interview component. Each girl spent five minutes alone with each of the three judges.

One question Warhurst had the opportunity to address was whether she felt there were any problems at school and what she thought could be done about them.

“There’s not a lot of bullying at our school,” said Warhurst, “but it does happen occasionally, and you always want to try to stand up for anyone who’s being bullied.”

Warhust said she learned a lot about how to talk to people – how to communicate better. “The interview portion was really helpful.”

She is the daughter of April and Josh Warhurst.

“We are so proud of Josie’s accomplishments,” said April. “She has that glow and is always willing to help anyone along the way, whatever she’s doing.”

Winners included Madlynn Mann, ninth-grade representative; Abby Garrison, most academic; Addie Cummings, best interview, prettiest hair, fourth alternate and Ms. Congeniality; Katie Thomas, prettiest evening gown and second alternate; Josie Warhurst, 2020-2021 Dream Girl, most photogenic and 10th-grade representative; Courtney Todd, 12th-grade representative and first alternate; Harley Cummings, third alternate, Ms. Congeniality and 11th-grade representative; Emma Duncan, prettiest smile; and Kennedy Belvin, poise and appearance.