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‘SHY GIRL’ HOPES TO INSPIRE OTHERS
Self-described as “a very shy girl,” the new Miss Vilonia, Destin Davis, said winning the title is a “really, really big deal,” for her.
“I’m not used to having all the attention on me,” Davis said shortly after the crowning held Saturday afternoon at the Vilonia Primary School. However, cameras were flashing and several were vying for her time.
The junior high school student hopes to use her new title, she said, to help other girls deal with their fears and overcome their shyness by visiting schools and sharing her story.
“If I can walk across a stage, anyone can do it,” she added. She also sees lots of parades in her future.
The 2013 Vilonia Royalty Pageant, sponsored by the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce, had 39 contestants vying for titles from that of Baby Miss to Miss Vilonia. Several former title holders were on hand to assist with the crowning. The emcee for the event, Ashley Luck, also is a former title holder, representative of the pageant. Miss Arkansas Teen USA 2013 Abby Floyd of Searcy, assisted with the crowning, posed for photographs as well as handed out autographs. The judges were all familiar with the inner workings of pageants. A couple held titles. One is a pageant mom.
On stage, most of the contestants appeared to be born to compete. Yet, a few of the younger ones had to be carried or coaxed onto the stage. Some walked slow, others walked fast. They smiled and posed. Pastel colored dresses, in a variety of lengths, representing every color of the rainbow were prevalent. There was lots of bling and shine.
As they walked out, a mini-biography was shared on each contestant. The younger children liked to play and spend time with their families. The older children leaned more toward sports, reading and spending time with their friends.
In general, all liked to watch television. A common thread, young and older, a majority of the contestants said their favorite television show is Duck Dynasty and American Idol.
Those crowned included: Baby Miss, Kynsley Joy Born; Toddler Miss, Graycen Farris Duke; Darling Miss, Emily Jackson; Tiny Miss, Leona Nicole Taylor; Petite Miss, Emma Grace Taylor; Little Miss, Lauren Grace Thorn; Junior Miss, Farrah Dawn Hopkins; Pre-Teen Miss, Rebecca Dawn Sanders; Teen Miss, Ashlee Andrews and Miss Vilonia, Destin Davis.