Mary L. Fair Gleaner Branch crowns queen
Photo by Tevin Stinson
Quincie McKnight takes a moment to take photos after being crowned 2016 Mary L. Fair Queen, during the Queen’s Contest held at the Katie B. Reynolds Education Building last weekend.
OES event held to raise funds for local female youth group
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
Last weekend talented young ladies from around the city competed for a chance to be crowned the 2016 Gleaner Queen during the first ever Queen’s Contest.
Themed “Black Butterflies,” the event was hosted by the Mary L. Fair Gleaner Branch #137, the female youth group of Bivouac Chapter #530 Order of the Eastern Star, serves as a fundraising event to assist participants with expenses to travel to the State Youth Assembly held in Raleigh later this year.
During the pageant-style event held at the Kate B. Reynolds Education Building, A’Nayjah Bullard, Jayla Herndon, Londyn Hunt, Quincie McKnight, and Madison Murrell made it known that they all are worthy of wearing the crown.
Each of the contestants was presented with a gift, but only one could be crowned 2016 Mary L. Fair Gleaner Queen. That honor went to Quincee McKnight. Second runner up was Londyn Hunt and first runner up was Madison Murrell. Following the crowning and a brief photoshoot featuring the contestants, emcee for the event, Judge Denise Hartfield, announced that combined the participants raised more than $2,000.
Similar to the big name pageants held across the country, the Queen’s Contest featured three different portions which included a fashion show, a talent portion and a formal entrance where contestants walked the makeshift run-way in their best evening gowns.
The pageant also featured performances from other talented young ladies who were not competing for the crown.
Committee supervisor and coordinator for the event, Lisa W. Smith, said that aside from raising funds for the organization, the Queen’s Contest is a great way for the girls to interact with each other and display their many talents.
“We have some amazing, talented young ladies here in Winston-Salem,” she said. “This event highlights the talents and beauty of the young people in our community.”
Smith noted the contest will also encourage the participants to continue to be smart and soar to higher heights.
Committee chairperson Vaness Lyerly applauded the participants for all their hard work. Lyerly mentioned that she expects the contest to grow and include more participants in the future.
“You are all winners today,” said Lyerly. “I am proud of you all. You are all queens.”
