The inaugural Miss Minden St. Jude Pageant raised more than $14,000 for St. Jude during its first year, exceeding organizers’ expectations and showcasing the fundraising efforts of local contestants.
Held Saturday, June 13, at Minden High School, the pageant combined traditional competition categories with a fundraising component benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Organizers announced that the event generated $14,038.01 after expenses, with proceeds set to be donated to Minden St. Jude.
Contestants were challenged to raise a minimum of $50, but many far surpassed that goal.
“They were challenged with $50. Almost every person up here raised way more than that,” organizer Mandi Hart told attendees.
Hart said she was overwhelmed by the commitment shown by the contestants and their families.
“You see why we’re so emotional, because I had no idea. I was thinking maybe they would raise $2,000, and that’s what we would have, but these girls were determined, and they worked hard. Every one of them is a winner,” Hart said.
The total amount raised included contestant fundraising efforts, registration fees, People’s Choice voting, and Photogenic category entries.
“Remember, every dollar raised here today helps ensure that families at St. Jude’s focus on what matters most: their child’s health and healing,” Hart said.
The pageant crowned winners in four age divisions.
In the Tiny Miss division, Kanyan Igo was named Tiny Miss Minden St. Jude. Micah Bordelon was first runner-up, and Aurora Richards was second runner-up. Igo also received the People’s Choice Award, while Richards earned the Photogenic Award and raised the most funds in the division with $1,191.
Brenley Berdan was crowned Little Miss Minden St. Jude. JoAnna Bordelon was first runner-up, and Charlotte Madden was second runner-up. Gentry Lary received the People’s Choice Award, and Whitley Foxworth won the Photogenic Award. Madden raised the most funds in the division with $825.
In the Young Miss division, Avionna Jeanise Smallwood was crowned Young Miss Minden St. Jude. Emily Grace Yount was first runner-up, and Laurin Hope Rowe was second runner-up. Magnolia Chapman received the People’s Choice Award, while Posey Belle Boyd earned the Photogenic Award. Rowe raised the most funds in the division with $1,230.
Tessa Adams was crowned Miss Minden St. Jude. Anna Beth Brown was named first runner-up. Adams also won the People’s Choice Award, the Photogenic Award, and the division fundraising award after raising $800.
Smallwood was recognized as the overall top fundraiser, collecting $2,605 for St. Jude.
Following the event, organizers thanked contestants and their families for supporting the fundraiser.
“Thank you all so much for participating in the inaugural Miss Minden St. Jude pageant,” Harleigh Hart wrote in a social media post. “My mom and I were truly blown away by how hard the girls worked. You are raising some amazing girlies!”
Organizers have already begun discussing ways to expand the pageant in future years.
“We’ve learned a lot after the weekend and are already brainstorming on how to make next year’s pageant bigger and better,” said Harleigh.
