The Russellville High School Annual Staff will sponsor the 42nd Annual Miss RHS Pageant this Friday, March 1, at 7 p.m. in the RCS Auditorium. This is the main fundraiser for the RHS Annual Staff and all money raised will go towards making the price of yearbooks as cost effective as possible for students at RHS.

This year there, will be 18 contestants in grades 9-12 who take the stage in hopes of winning awards in the categories of Interview, Talent and Evening Gown. Grade Representatives will be chosen for ninth–eleventh grade; and First Alternate, Second Alternate, Third Alternate and Miss RHS 2024 will all be chosen from the twelfth grade.

There will also be two additional awards: a Photogenic award will be given in each grade, chosen from contestants who chose to participate in this optional category; and a Viewer’s Choice Award will be presented to the contestant who receives the most votes the night of the pageant. These votes will come in the form of ticket stubs, and additional votes can be purchased for $1.00 each.

The pageant will also feature 18 Little Sisters and 19 Rising Stars. The Little Sisters are Russellville Middle School students who were chosen by the contestants to introduce them during the talent competition. The Rising Stars come from Russellville Elementary and West Elementary, and they accompany their contestant onstage during the evening gown revue.

The pageant will also feature special entertainment from the Addie’s Flip, Tip and Tap Trio, which consists of Tinley Cleveland, Ruby Harbin and Lyza Shaw Herring; and from last year’s Miss RHS 2023, Sarah Morgan. Miss RHS 2022 Madeline Cooper will emcee the event.

Lauren Mae Wallace, who is in her first year as Miss RHS Pageant Director, said this is a great event the community won’t want to miss.

“This is so much more than just a beauty pageant,” Wallace said. “In 1984, Susie Malone turned the pageant into a scholarship pageant, and our winner will receive scholarship money that can help her further her educational career.”

“And these girls are being judged on more than just their appearance – they will be judged on their interview skills and how they interact with others; their poise and presence and how they present themselves; and their talent and ability to get up in front of a crowd and perform. And all the while, they are gaining self-confidence, learning how to be gracious and humble and learning more about themselves. Ms. Coan has done a wonderful job directing the pageant the past several years and making sure it is one of the best high school pageants in the state, and we plan to continue to uphold those same traditions moving forward. It really is an excellent opportunity for our ladies at RHS to shine, and we’re very proud of this year’s contestants and their hard work in preparing for the event.”

Kellie Singleton, who serves as the RHS Annual Staff Sponsor and Miss RHS Coordinator, said she has been so thankful for the community’s continued support of the pageant in the form of donations and ad sales.

“Once again, our community showed up in a big way to support the Annual Staff and this pageant, and I am so grateful,” Singleton said. “Because of their generosity, our Miss RHS 2024 will walk away with more than $3,000 worth of scholarships and prizes, the largest amount we’ve ever had. It will be a tremendous blessing to whichever young lady wins the title this year, and it’s all thanks to our community and local businesses.”

This year’s Miss RHS Prize Package Patrons are Rhett Bradford – State Farm; Artistic Jewelry; Valley State Bank; Dr. and Mrs. Tom Morgan; Kameo Salon; Campbell Vision Center; 43 Grill; Salon St. Clair; Styled by Sophie; American Health & Fitness; Maggie J’s Boutique; Russellville Nutrition; The Ville Nutrition; Hangout Nutrition; Joseph Romans Photography; Joyous Adventures with Cassie; Holly Nails; Farmhouse Table Café & Bakery; Suzy’s Clothing; and Aymee Gandy with Sugar Street Sweets.

This year’s Viewer’s Choice Award is sponsored by Melanie Malone and Bella Rejuvenation.

This year’s Miss RHS Alumni Prize is sponsored by Russellville Florist & Gifts.

This year’s Contestant, Little Sister, and Rising Star Donut Party is sponsored by AFTT Studio.

This year’s program sponsors are 43 Grill, Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Ray, Susie Hovater Malone, Pat and Teresa Seal, Russellville Mayor David Grissom, CB&S Bank, Community Spirit Bank, Valley State Bank, First Metro Bank, Salon St. Clair, Arabella Health & Wellness of Russellville, Russellville Water & Sewer Board, Russellville Electric Board, Morgan Chiropractic, Family Pharmacy Group, Brian’s Auto Sales, Cherry Tree Lane, AFTT Studio, Eyecare Professionals, Joseph A. Foster CPA, Campbell Vision Center, Rhett Bradford-State Farm, and Hester’s Printing & Graphics.

This year’s contributors to the Miss RHS Alumni Scholarship, which provides cash prizes for the Miss RHS Court are Susan Hammock DeArman, Susie Hovater Malone, Jessica McSpadden, Lela Wright Ray, Kellie Singleton, Patrice Smith, Kellie Sturdivant, and Lauren Mae Wallace.

Escorts are Alejandro Bermudez, Reece Carson, Will Morgan, Jamal Noel, Jacob Sturdivant, Bralynn Vincent, and Sam Wilson.

This year’s Miss RHS Little Sisters are Brandtley Benford, Maci Boyd, Tinely Cleveland, Brookelynn Davis, Ruby Harbin, Lyza Shaw Herring, Lillianna Hood, Audrey Claire Kiel, Lydia Grace Kiel, Bri McCulloch, Callie Odom, Collins Odom, Sadie Odom, Laila Joy Rush, Blevyn Sappington, Kymani Williams, Avery Willis.

This year’s Miss RHS Rising Stars are Kensley Benford, Ava Bianco, Baylor Bradford, Avery Claire Boutwell, Amelia Colley, Macy Brooke Ergle, Abby Rose Hein, Sloan Hellums, Liveigh Hester, Zun Hill, Ellie Kastberg, Kennadie Keeton, Cassidy Lane, Reese Mayer, Darby Pinkard, Chloe Smith, Mayra Solis, Annie Swinney, and Campbell Wright.

Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $10. Programs will also be available for $10.

Stay tuned for next week’s paper for more photos.