TaLyiah Lewis, a 16 year-old Junior at Northwest High School was crowned Miss Juneteenth ICT 2025, winning out over five other contestants, at the pageant held Sun., June 8 at the Duerksen Fine Arts Center on the Wichita State University Campus.
Lewis is the daughter of Chandra Lewis and Adrian McCloughtand the granddaughter of Janice Lewis. Her winnings included a cash prize of $1500.
1st runner-up, or Miss Dockum Sit-in, was Jewell Moore, who received a $500 cash prize and 2nd runner-up was Zoe Washington, or Miss NE Wichita, who received a $300 prize.
Zoe Washington also won the essay contest and Julianna Moore won the People’s Choice Award The other contestants were: Makylia Smith and Alanah Wesley.
About Lewis
Lewis plays both basketball and volleyball for her high school team and hopes to be able to attend college on an athletic scholarship. A member of St. Mark COGIC, Lewis performed a praise dance as her talent during the pageant. .
Her platform for the year will focus on teen mental health.
As Miss Juneteenth ICT, Lewis will reign over the week-long list of activities for Wichita’s Juneteenth celebration and represent the organization in the community during the upcoming year.
In addition, she will compete in the Miss Kansas Teen next year as Miss Juneteenth ICT. Miss Juneteenth 2024 Tiana Hardwell competed in that pageant placing third.
Each year the pageant sponsorship team awards a Black Girls Rock award to a Black Woman who has done an exceptional job in support of and mentoring Black girls. This year’s recipients were Miss Juneteenth ICT committee members Ashlee McLaurian and Gabrielle Owens-Bruce.
See our calendar at communityvoiceks.com for a complete schedule of Wichita Juneteenth activities.
