New Miss Laurel and Little Miss Laurel Crowned

It was an evening of glitz and glamour at Laurel High School Friday, April 8. This was the third year the Laurel Lioness Club hosted the Little Miss and Miss Laurel pageant.

DelmarvaLife’s Brittany Siegel was the master of ceremonies.

Nine girls attending Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School competed for the title of “Little Miss Laurel:” Lillian Bramble, Ava Dahlstrom, Sierra Dickerson, Elisia Griffith, Rachel Hubbard, Julionna Johnson-Casiano, McKenzie Joyner, Alayna Teagle, and Rachel Singh.

Rachel Singh, the six-year-old daughter of Anil and Natasha Singh was chosen by the judges to be 2016’s “Little Miss Laurel.” Little Miss Laurel 2015 Kara Fleming crowned the new little miss after sharing a speech about her experience holding the title.

During intermission, harpist Joy Slavens entertained the crowd.

The Miss Laurel pageant went off without a hitch, with Breanna Brittingham, Gabrielle Hastings, Georgia O’Neal and Marissa Perdue competing for the title. Each girl introduced herself to the crowd in her business attire, then shared their talent with the crowd, followed by the spontaneous question and answer in formal wear.

Miss Laurel 2015 TyAnna Handy shared an emotional speech with the crowd before the judges tallied their votes. Gabrielle Hastings, the 16-year-old daughter of Jeff and Kim Hastings and a junior at Sussex Technical High School was crowned the 2016 Miss Laurel. Georgia O’Neal, the 16-year-old daughter of Richard and Donna O’Neal and junior at Laurel Senior High School was chosen as the runner-up.

The runner-up received a trophy and a $200 scholarship from the Laurel Lions Club. The winner received a crown, a trophy, flowers, a $500 scholarship from the Laurel Lioness Club, and a certificate for a free 30-minute photo session from Ashley Holloway of A&D Photography.