BELHAVEN — A student at Bath Elementary School has been named the first Young Miss Independence.
Tiffany Oliver, the 13-year-old daughter of Butch and Tabitha Oliver of Pinetown, won the title Saturday evening during a pageant held at Northside High School. The pageant, directed by Miss Independence 2011, marked the first such competition for local girls between 12 and 14 years old and was held as a kickoff to Belhaven’s Independence Day festivities.
First runner-up for the crown was Casey Powell, the 14-year-old daughter of Timmy and Nancy Powell of Pantego. A student at Beaufort County Early College High School, Powell also received the top model and fitness wear awards and was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.
Kristina Midgette, a student at Northside High School, was named second runner-up and winner of the photogenic award. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Steven and Sonya Midgette of Belhaven.
Third runner up was Kendall Alligood, a student at Northside and the 14-year-old daughter of Joseph and Linda Alligood of Washington.
Voted the judges’ choice for best in patriotic wear was Hayley Linton, a student at Northeast Elementary School and the 13-year-old daughter of Larry and Donna Linton of Bath.
Also participating in the pageant were Leah Rodriguez, a student at Bath Elementary and the 12-year-old daughter of Edwin and Cynthia Rodriguez of Washington, and Bethany Smith, a student at Northeast Elementary and the 12-year-old daughter of Joey and Beverly Smith of Belhaven.
Contestants were judged in four areas of competition: evening gown, fitness wear, onstage question and patriotic wear.
Belhaven’s series of pageants was to continue Tuesday evening, with the selection of Miss Independence 2012, and this morning, when a new Little Miss Independence will be crowned. Results of those pageants will be published in the Daily News as they become available.
Today’s schedule of Independence Day activities, hosted by the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce, includes a parade featuring the newly-crowned pageant winners, carnival rides and concessions, live music, mud run, helicopter rides, dunking booth, lawnmower pull and fireworks.