Four Tri-City women vied for the Juneteenth crown Saturday night, but only one walked off the stage a queen.
Arisha Fite, a junior at Kamiakin High School, was crowned queen of the annual Juneteenth celebration, held in the Gregson Auditorium at Pasco High School.
Asia Augustine, a senior at Richland High, was the first princess; Desiree Beasley, a Legacy High grad, was second princess, and Kylie Simons, a senior at Richland High, was third princess.
Fite won a $ 1,000 scholarship and was also named Miss Congeniality of the pageant, and earned the Highest GPA award, as well as the Hostess award. She won a $ 1,000 scholarship.
“This was quite a night for Arisha,†said Elouise Sparks, organizer of the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant.
Beasley, who plans to attend Olympic College in Bremerton and major in welding, won the evening’s talent award.
As her talent she gave a monologue titled “Just My Type†that talked about how the she doesn’t fit the standard image of a girl, Sparks said.
“In her monologue, she talked about the fact she might not have the same outlook as most girls, but that God liked her just the way she is,†Sparks added.
The first duty for the queen and her court will be to make an appearance in the Grand Ole Fourth of July celebration and the parade.
The new queen will also help educate the community about Juneteenth and why it’s important. Fite also will perform volunteer work, attend events and give talks during her year reign, Sparks said.
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, that grew from the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
w Dori O’Neal: 582-1514; doneal@tricityherald.com
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Juneteenth queen to be crowned Saturday
Juneteenth queen to be crowned Saturday
Freedom. That’s what the Juneteenth celebrations are about.
Juneteenth events began in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 â€" two years after President Abe Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
That’s how long it took for the news that slaves were free to filter that far south.
Elouise Sparks honored for Juneteenth efforts
Elouise Sparks honored for Juneteenth efforts
Elouise Sparks, director of the Miss Juneteenth Pageant, was honored Friday night by the PNNL Black Community Connection Network with its 2011 Community Stewardship Award.
The award was presented during the first “Cupid’s Ball†held by the Black Community Connection network and Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant. Proceeds from the dinner attended by more than 140 at the Clarion Hotel in Richland will go to the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program of the Tri-Cities.
The scholarship program honors black high school girls with college scholarships. Juneteenth marks the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas.
Informational meeting set of Miss Juneteenth
Informational meeting set of Miss Juneteenth
The Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program invites African-American girls in grades 10-12 and their parents to an information meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wed-nesday at the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Drive, Richland.
Parents and teens can get their questions about the program answered. There also will be a presentation by Miss Juneteenth 2010 Cassi Davis.
Registration forms will be available. The registration fee is $ 20.
Tri-City young adults enter new phase
Tri-City young adults enter new phase
Saturday was a special day for hundreds of young people around the Mid-Columbia.
It was the day they had dreamed of for the past four years. When it arrived, they celebrated, flinging caps in the air.
In arenas, gymnasiums and stadiums, speakers urged the students to seize the opportunities that lie before them.
Royal family gather as Prince Philip turns 90
Royal family gather as Prince Philip turns 90
Prince Philip â€" the colorful and outspoken husband of Queen Elizabeth II â€" attended a special church service and reception to celebrate his 90th birthday Sunday.
Tags: City, Columbia, crowned, girl, Herald, Juneteenth, Kamiakin â€"
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