Returning for its third year, Miss JuneteenthKC crowned four new queens May 18, with Nevaeh Harding taking the top crown as Miss Juneteenth.
This year, 23 young women participated in a 10-week program that connected them to mentors and taught them history, public speaking, how to build relationships and etiquette. The young women had Brunch with Third District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson and participated in a mock City Hall session with Mayor Quinton Lucas and Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks Shaw.
“It was an amazing event, and it’s always great to see it grow in the third year,” says JuneteenthKC Program Director Makeda Peterson.
Judges gave two awards at the pageant based on scores that consider talent, evening wear presentation, poise, stage presence, personality, creativity, and articulation. The contestant aged 16-18 with the highest judge’s score was crowned Miss JuneteenthKC, while the highest score aged 12-15 was crowned Miss Jr JuneteenthKC.
Two other awards, Miss Executive and Sweetest Peach, were given during the presentation. The Miss Executive award is given to the most industrious contestant as judged by ticket sales and fundraising for the project. The Sweetest Peach Award is voted on by the contestants and is similar to “Miss Congeniality.”
Winners:
- Miss JuneteenthKC: Nevaeh Harding
- Miss Jr JuneteenthKC: Taelyn Sanders
- Miss Executive: Joye Thomas
- Sweetest Peach: Syndnee Sims
In addition to cash prizes for the award winners, the program seeks to provide education, tools, and resources to young women to help build their resilience and confidence in making positive choices.
