Two vie for Miss Pea Ridge crown

Zaelea Harris
Zaelea Harris

PEA RIDGE -- The annual Miss Pea Ridge pageant will be an abbreviated pageant due to limitations imposed by the state health department becaues of the covid-19 pandemic.

Two contestants -- Zaelea Harris and Kailey King -- will compete in a private pageant today.

"We just hated to not have it at all for these seniors who've been involved in it since they were Teeny Tots," Sandy Fletcher of Beta Alpha said, explaining club officials wanted to be cautious about holding a large event because of covid-19 restrictions.

This year's pageant will include the panel interviews of the contestants by judges, three questions asked while the young ladies are on stage and evening wear competition. Pageants for younger contestants will not be held.

This year's pageant will not be open to the public, by Fletcher said she hopes to be able to share video of the event which will be held in Messiah Lutheran Church.

The Miss Pea Ridge pageant was begun in 1950 with the city's centennial celebration. In the past 70 years, there has been a pageant every year except in 1951, 1986 and 1993, according to records. In 1986, there was a former queen's reunion. The pageant has increased with additions of contestants from toddlers to junior high participants.

Competing for the privilege to represent Pea Ridge are Miss Zaelea Harris and Miss Kailey King Both are seniors at Pea Ridge High School.

Zaelea Harris, 17, daughter of Mike and Ginnaya Harris, is a member of the Pea Ridge FFA and the Springdale Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders. She enjoys taking pictures, riding horses, fishing, hunting, hanging with friends, going to 7Brew and having jam sessions with her friends.

Her community service includes Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders and Beta Alpha.

Her goal in life is to become an equine dentist.

Kailey Genella King, 17, daughter of Josh and Kristi Thornton, is a member of the National Honor Society, DECA, Pea Ridge Ambassadors, Advanced Placement Program and Business Pathway. She enjoys art, photography, hiking, pilates and thrifting.

Her community service invludes volunteering at the school Nest store, virtual reading at the Ridge, assisting with the distribution of Thanksgiving dinner baskets and helping in the concession stands during youth football.

Her goal is to graduate with high honors and attend college to receive a master's of business administration degree.

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