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Last updated on Friday, June 22, 2018
(UNDATED) - Emcee Steve Warren of Bedford Ford Lincoln Chrysler welcomed the guests to the 2018 Judah Heritage Festival Queen Pageant.
Sponsors were proudly posted on a banner along the front side of the main stage where the contestants anxiously awaited the announcement of the pageant results. The Judah Heritage Festival acknowledged each sponsor for their contribution acknowledging fully that without their financial support their event would not be successful.
The 2017 Judah Heritage Festival Queen, Alivia Mackey, gave her farewell speech and wished all contestants good luck.
Larry Hardman, President of the Judah Heritage Festival expressed his appreciation to Pageant Director Heather Macheda. Each year Heather dedicates a lot of time, energy, and patience guiding the pageant and its contestants to success.
Emcee Steve Warren announced the winning titles for the Little Miss Pageant. Lilly McCracken's name was announced first for Best Theme Wear. Lilly portrayed Belle from the movie Beauty and the Beast.
Another certificate was awarded for Directorship. This award is determined by Heather Macheda to the individual who was the most helpful and most positive. Kenlyn Craig received this honor and accepted her award in her blue formal gown.
The third certificate was awarded to Sarah Holbrooke for Miss Awareness. Miss Awareness is awarded to the contestant that raised the most money for cancer research.
With the crowd and contestants celebrating the announced above awards, Emcee Warren proceeded to announce the Queen and her court.
Second Runner-Up was awarded to Hayden Salazar
First Runner-Up was awarded to Jaiven Prince
Brylee Holquin captured Miss Congeniality nominated by the other contestants and also the 2018 Judah Heritage Festival Little Miss Queen title!
Brylee is the daughter of Mandy and Seth Ramey and Patrick Holquin all of Bedford. This is Brylees' fifth pageant to participate in.
Once the Little Miss Contestants exited the stage the Queen Constants were each announced and escorted onto the main stage.
Steve Warren proudly announced that all pageant contestants raised a combined amount over $1745.00 which did include the admission fees from Tuesday nights pageant competition. Pageant Director Macheda was overly expressive with her gratitude towards the Little Theatre of Bedford giving use of the venue for the practices and Tuesday night event. This money raised will stay in Lawrence County once donated to Lawrence County Patient Services for cancer research use.
Alexis Lindsey was awarded Miss Awareness raising nearly $300. Lindsey was also awarded Best Theme Wear as Fa Mulan. She made her princess choice because Fa Mulan is described as plain, loving, courageous and honorable. All qualities that Alexis believes a true Queen should possess. President Larry Hardman expressed, "This was such a close pageant with an amazing group of girls". He later stated "This years princess theme, a decision made by 2017 Judah Queen Alivia Mackey, was a really good decision that lent to a classy pageant this year".
Katie Fishback received the Directorship award for being most helpful, most positive with good sportsmanship during the pageant process.
The 2018 Judah Festival Queen sash and crown was awarded to Taylor Hayse. Hayse is a sixteen-year-old Junior at BNL High School. She aspires to attend Ivy Tech specializing in Radiation Therapy after graduation. Queen Hayse is the daughter of Jeff and Joni Hayse of Springville. Taylors' final interview onstage question asked should she win the pageant what would be the first thing she would say in the microphone. Taylor stated she would praise God, without God, she would not have had the confidence to compete. Taylor also competed in the 2017 Oolitic Fall Festival Pageant where she also earned the Queen title.
Queen Taylor Hayse court for the 2018 Judah Heritage Festival will be:
First Runner-Up, Sarah Peterson. Sarah will begin college this fall at IUPUI studying Nuclear Medicine. Sarah is the daughter of John and Terri Peterson of Bedford.
Second Runner-Up, Alexis Lindsey. Alexis is a Senior at BNL High School with future plans attending IUPUI studying radiology specializing in the study of ultrasound. Alexis is the daughter of Greg and Holly Davis and Jim Lindsey, all of Bedford.
Miss Congeniality was once again awarded to Jasmine Heckard of Bedford. Jasmine will attend college this fall studying Human Resource Management minoring in Education Policy.
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