BELHAVEN — Two young ladies from the Pinetown community are among Beaufort County’s latest pageant royalty.

Macy Radcliffe, 14-year-old daughter of Reid and Penelope Radcliffe, was awarded the title of Young Miss Independence Saturday evening during a dual pageant held at the John A. Wilkinson Center. Macy also received photogenic and patriotic wear preliminary awards.

For Madison Tetterton, winning the crown of Miss Independence 2016 was a very special birthday present since she turned 17 the day of the pageant. The daughter of Erick and Dawn Tetterton, she was also voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Her coronation is the continuation of a family tradition; her older sister, Kaitlin, was Miss Independence 2014.

The pageant is a highlight of Belhaven’s annual celebration of America’s birthday, a tradition that began in the 1930s in this Beaufort County town. Reigning over the event were last year’s pageant winners, Young Miss Katie Hopkins and Miss Independence Brianna Swain.

In addition to the new winner, the Young Miss court is comprised of first runner-up Sierra Sanderson, 14-year-old daughter of Cory and April Sanderson of Pantego; top model award winner Alexis Ziff, daughter of Pete Ziff and Susan Jefferson of Pantego; and Emma Rice, 14-year-old daughter of Shaw and Shanna Rice of Washington.

Others competing for the Miss Independence title were first runner-up, creative expression winner and photogenic winner Madison Tyer, 18-year-old daughter of Amanda Woolard of Washington; second runner-up Bailey Gerard, 16-year-old daughter of Walt and Laura Gerard of Washington; Autumn Andrews, 16-year-old daughter of Paul and Dana Andrews of Belhaven; Macy Morgan, 16-year-old daughter of Mike and Marcy Morgan of Belhaven; Ashley Paszt, 18-year-old daughter of Ricky and Debbie Paszt of Pinetown; and Faith Bell, 16-year-old daughter of Greg and Jodi Bell of Pantego.

The Young Miss contestants participated in evening gown, patriotic wear, onstage question and athletic wear competitions. Miss Independence was selected following competitions in private interview, evening gown, creative expression and swimsuit.

Belhaven Mayor Adam O’Neal and pageant director Elizabeth Harris welcomed the standing-room-only crowd, and Kaitlin Tetterton served as mistress of ceremonies. Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by Molly Brickhouse, Cooper Greer, Le Moulin Rouge de Danse, Ava Scott Johnson, Jordan Cooke and Lindsey Newberry, Little Miss Independence 2015.

A pageant to choose a new Little Miss Independence was scheduled on Monday morning. Results of that event will be featured in an upcoming edition of the Washington Daily News.