Carriker, Vinyard and Behme reign as new Carlinville Queens
The Carlinville Queen pageant had 18 young ladies across three categories competing for three crowns. The contestants all came back on stage in their formal wear to give the judges one last look before voting began. Enquirer~Democrat photo by Erin Sanson.
By ERIN SANSON
Enquirer~Democrat Reporter
The 19th Carlinville Queen Pageant was held Saturday, April 15 at the Carlinville High School Gym. Royals from around the region came out to support the 18 young ladies competing for the crowns this year.
The scene after the winner was announced might have looked familiar to those who attended the pageant the previous year. As Alyssa Carriker’s name was called announcing she had won the 2023 title, younger sister Molly, Junior Miss Carlinville 2022, ran over to embrace her before helping her with her sash and crown.
Last year it was Alyssa, the 2021 Junior Miss, helping Molly as she passed the title down to her little sister.
A. Carriker will be joined this year by Claire Vinyard as Junior Miss and Averi Behme as Little Miss Carlinville.
There were only three contestants in the running for “Miss Carlinville” 2023. Carriker, Avery Nejmanowski and Briana Sanchez were all on stage Saturday showing off their confidence, communication skills and what pageant would be complete without multiple outfit changes and evening gowns.
From left, Alyssa Carriker, Avery Nejmanowski and Briana Sanchez group together during the formal wear portion of the evening. Enquirer~Democrat photo by Erin Sanson.
There were ten young ladies vying for the title in the “Junior Miss” category. Saylor Nicholson, Makenna Conlee, Kinze Haulk, Evelyn Graves, Cali Kolsto, Alli Rhodes, Victoria Collins, Vinyard, Kadence White and Graylin Michaelis each competed for the title. Junior Miss contestants were asked to model casual wear and party dress, answer one question and each took part in an interview earlier that day.
The “Little Miss” category had five contestants, Everlee Spada, Behme, Raylie Garner, Everly Vaughn and Claire Hartsook. Each Little Miss contestant took part in a dance number, dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up and retook the stage in their own evening gowns.
From left, Averi Behme, Raylie Garner, Everlee Spada, Claire Hartsook and Everly Vaughn show off their party dresses for the judges and audience of the Carlinville Queen Pageant. Enquirer~Democrat photo by Erin Sanson.
