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Displaying their sash and crown are 2024 Miss Juneteenth Jaiden Wade and Junior Miss Juneteenth Amelia Rose Spillman. -
Tiny Miss Juneteenth contestant Ariyah McGill stole the show during her interview. She didn't wait for the emcee's question and even took the microphone from her. -
Left: Tylar Franklin demonstrated her sparkling personality and her dance moves to Beyonce's new single, 'Texas Hold 'Em,' during the talent competition. -
During her talent presentation, Raquel Rogers portrayed rock legend Tina Turner's iconic 'Proud Mary' dance moves. Not even technical difficulties could stop her 'big wheels' from rolling. -
Reigning 2023 Miss Junetenth Kayleigh Franklin (left) takes her final walk before the 2024 winner is crowned at this year's pageant, held Saturday, June 8 at the Main Street Theatre. -
The four Tiny Miss Juneteenth contestants were escorted onstage by their mothers and best friends. From left are Gianna Myles, Jaliana Grant, Say'lah Marie Cerda and Ariyah McGill. They took to the stage like seasoned professionals. -
Intermediate Miss Juneteenth contestant Tylar Franklin, left, shows off her style during the formalwear portion of the 2024 Miss Juneteenth Pageant. -
Miss Say'lah Marie Cerda, another Tiny Miss Juneteenth contestant, didn't have to say much to make the audience fall in love with her. -
Junior Miss Juneteenth Amelia Rose Spillman showed off a sporty look onstage during the 2024 Miss Juneteenth pageant Saturday evening. -
Intermediate Miss Juneteenth contestant Raquel Rogers, left, was dressed to impress in a showstopping red dress during the formalwear portion of the 2024 Miss Juneteenth Pageant. -
Pageant judge and guest speaker Perinza Reddic talked about the meaning of Juneteenth, calling it a celebration of freedom for everyone. -
No stage fright for Tiny Miss Juneteenth contestant Gianna Myles. She was all smiles during the pageant, held at the Main Street Theatre Saturday evening. Staff photos by Tammy Vinson
Eight contestants competed Saturday in four divisions — Tiny Miss, for ages two to five; Intermediate Miss, for ages six to 10 and Miss Juneteenth, for ages 11 to 15 — at the 2024 Miss Juneteenth Rebirth Pageant, held at Main Street Theatre. Contestants were judged on communication, poise, talent and beauty; three went home with titles.
Jaylianah Grant, age 5, was crowned 2024 Tiny Miss Juneteenth. Her fellow contestants included Gianna Myles, Say’lah Cerda and Ariyah McGill.
Raquel Rogers and Tylar Franklin competed for the Intermediate Miss crown. Rogers turned in a dance performance of “Proud Mary” that Tina Turner herself would have been proud of. Franklin also presented a great dance to Beyonce’s “Texas Hold Em.” Even more impressive of the talent was the poise of both these young ladies when technical issues disrupted their performances. They both kept right on going like true professionals. Rogers won the title, however Amelia Rose Spillman was crowned Junior Miss Juneteenth.
2024 Miss Juneteenth is Jaiden Wade, 15, of Sulphur Springs. She will be a sophomore at Sulphur Springs High School and a member of the Blue Blazes. She loves anime and spoke about how one of her favorite characters inspires her. Wade plans to attend culinary school after graduation and hopes to become a chef and restaurant owner.
2023 Miss Juneteenth Kaleigh Rae Payne took her final walk before the 2024 Miss Juneteenth was crowned. She spoke of how much the last year has meant to her.
Pageant judges included Perinza Reddic, Bry’dric Wright, Luegenia Peoples Jansen, Monica Weeks and Meioshi Nash-Robinson.
Juneteenth observance
The 2024 Miss Juneteenth Rebirth Pageant, with its theme “Reflections of Me,” was held Saturday evening before a packed house at the Main Street Theatre.
The pageant celebrates Juneteenth, or June 19, the day slaves in Texas learned of their emancipation in 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
Pageant judge and guest speaker Perinza Wright said Juneteenth should be important to everyone, regardless of skin color.
“It’s a celebration of all people being free,” she told the audience. “It’s not about color. It’s about having freedom.”
Reddic also spoke about meeting Miss Opal Lee, of Juneteenth” for her efforts in making June 19 a federal holiday. She described Lee’s childhood experiences in moving from Marshall, Texas to Fort Worth in the late 1930s. Wright’s parents purchased a home in a white section of town, and residents of the area burned the then 12-year-old Lee’s home down on June 19, 1939. Lee went on to attend college and become a teacher and civil rights activist. Her Change.org petition to make Juneteenth a federal holiday received 1.6 million signatures. In 2021, the United States Congress passed a bill recognizing June 19 as a federal holiday.
Reddic closed her remarks by encouraging people to “exercise your right to vote, and do everything you can to make your community better.”
On Saturday, June 15, a full day Juneteenth celebration will be held at Pacific Park, located at 413 Beckham Street in Sulphur Springs. The Juneteenth Marathon Run begins at 7 a.m., followed by the parade at 11 a.m. In addition to several barbecue cooks serving up some tasty food, the Juneteenth Market opens at 1 p.m., and there will be music, games and fun starting at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, the festivities continue with day two of the Juneteenth Market, starting at 1 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Gospel at 6 p.m. to close out the weekend.
All events are free to attend, and everyone is welcome.