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BELHAVEN — Four young ladies earned their crowns this past weekend, taking home tiaras and the titles of Miss Independence for 2020. The following girls earned honors during Saturday’s pageant, which consisted of modeling, displays of talent and creativity and interviews.

Miss Independence

2020 Miss Independence — Katie Young

Miss Independence second place — Mallory Nobles

Miss Independence third place — Kaylyn Coltrain

Top creative expression — Katie Young

Top interview — Katie Young

Most patriotic — Mallory Nobles

Most photogenic — Kaylyn Coltrain

Young Miss Independence

2020 Young Miss Independence — Gabby Jordon

Young Miss Independence second place — Chelsey Davis

Young Miss Independence third place — Brienna Benson

Top creative expression — Gabby Jordan

Most patriotic — Chelsey Davis

Most photogenic — Chelsey Davis

Junior Miss Independence

2020 Junior Miss Independence — Lainey Warren

Junior Miss Independence second place — Blakley Thompson

Junior Miss Independence third place — Ella Nelson

Top talent — Lainey Warren

Most patriotic — Lainey Warren

Most photogenic — Lainey Warren

Little Miss Independence

2020 Little Miss Independence — Ava Boyd

Little Miss Independence second place — Sadie Mann

Little Miss Independence third place — Stella Smith

Top talent — Sadie Mann

Most patriotic — Sadie Mann

Most photogenic — Ava Boyd

Butterfly Brooch Award — Lila Claire Bell and Caroline Manning

“The pageant went very well, with it being outside,” said pageant organizer Kayla Harris. “It definitely was not the usual large crowd, and that’s OK. Each girl rocked the stage compared to first practice when they all hid their face with their hands. I am over-the-moon proud of each competitor.”

Each of the winners, and many of the competitors, will ride in places of honor this weekend, during Belhaven’s Fourth of July parade Saturday. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and is a traditional centerpiece of the town’s Independence Day festivities.

“This was my third and final year organizing the pageant,” Harris said. “As I step down, I pray that I have left some kind of positive impact on these little ladies and planted a good seed in their heart. I hope that I have shed some light on this pageant and that it continues with my successors.”