This past weekend, the annual Miss Dawson County beauty pageants took place at Dawson County High School, giving local girls a chance to compete for titles in their categories and for the first time ever awarding one girl a $1000 scholarship in honor of the late Roger Slaton. 

The pageants, which are put on by the DCHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Technology Student Association (TSA) groups, lets girls sign up to compete in one of four categories, winning titles, sashes and crowns. This year, a new scholarship prize was introduced in honor of the late Roger Slaton, a pillar of the Dawson County community who was involved in the school system and the pageants for over 30 years. 

“We are so grateful for Roger’s past 30 plus years of service to Dawson County Schools and pageants,” FCCLA Advisor Lori Grant said to DCN in an email. “We couldn’t think of a better way to honor his memory.” 

Slaton’s bio was read at the pageant, and a memory table was set up for him in the auditorium. A chair was also set up in the wings of the left side of the stage, where he always stood to watch the pageants. 

The very first Roger Slaton Memorial Scholarship was set up to be awarded to one senior contestant who applied, and Slaton’s granddaughter Mollie Stanfield, who is a former Miss Dawson County, presented the scholarship to the winner. 

FCCLA and TSA gave $500 toward the scholarship, and an anonymous donor matched the amount, bringing the total scholarship up to $1000. A scholarship committee selected Malina Palmour as the recipient.

This year’s pageants saw the largest number of participants since FCCLA and TSA took the event over three years ago, Grant said. The pageant took place on Saturday Jan. 22. 

This year’s winners in each category are listed below. 

Tiny Miss Dawson County

Winner: Raelyn Kate Howell

First Runner-up: Kori Davis

Second Runner-up: Lila Harkins

Third Runner-up: Blakeley Gray Hinkle 

Fourth Runner-up: Ashlynn Barnes

People’s Choice: Ellie Johnson

Little Miss Dawson County

Winner: Charlie McGriff 

First Runner-up: Bella Marie Williams

Second Runner-up and People’s Choice: Serenity Sells

Third Runner-up: Ivy Lawrence

Fourth Runner-up: Charlie Welch

Junior Miss Dawson County

Winner: Laila Renee Woody

First Runner-up and People’s Choice: Emma Kate Castleberry

Second Runner-up: Keyleigh Hope Gilleland

Third Runner-up: Shelbee Kirby 

Miss Dawson County

Winner: Kelci Folsom

First Runner-up: Jaida Everett

Second Runner-up: Layne Bailey

Third Runner-up: Carah Matheson

Fourth Runner-up and Roger Slaton Memorial Scholarship recipient: Malina Palmour 

People’s Choice: Nevaeh Credeur 

This year's pageants were sponsored by several businesses in the community. Bohanan and Gee Realty was the presenting sponsor, and Kroger, Fajita Grill, Shoal Creek Supply and Dominos Pizza were the other sponsors. Sole Impulse Dance studio performed at the pageant as well.