Nine area girls compete at Miss Texas Teen

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  Cadence Webster, Brianna Latray, Mikah Kesinger, Marissa Eppes, Kenady Morris, Director - Emily Goodson, Makenaa Eppes, Gabi Trevino, Lexi Goodson, and Evangeline Arabie at the 2024 Miss Texas Teen competition this past week. Courtesy Photo

  Cadence Webster, Brianna Latray, Mikah Kesinger, Marissa Eppes, Kenady Morris, Director - Emily Goodson, Makenaa Eppes, Gabi Trevino, Lexi Goodson, and Evangeline Arabie at the 2024 Miss Texas Teen competition this past week. Courtesy Photo
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  Director Emily Goodson and Texas Lone Star Princesses Stanlee Jo Hamilton, Savannah Fulmer, Laney Lehman, Madison Helfenbein, Gracie Franco, Kelsie West, Harleigh DeBorde, Meia Gilley, Harper Easter, Selah Smith, Kyler Ann Holcomb, Amelia Solley, and Haylee West. Not pictured are Izabella Lima, Candace Barnes, and Vivenne Arabie. Courtesy Photo

  Director Emily Goodson and Texas Lone Star Princesses Stanlee Jo Hamilton, Savannah Fulmer, Laney Lehman, Madison Helfenbein, Gracie Franco, Kelsie West, Harleigh DeBorde, Meia Gilley, Harper Easter, Selah Smith, Kyler Ann Holcomb, Amelia Solley, and Haylee West. Not pictured are Izabella Lima, Candace Barnes, and Vivenne Arabie. Courtesy Photo

Nine area girls competed in the Miss Texas Teen competition this past week, June 23-29, at the Eisemann Performance Center in Richardson and brought back multiple honors.

In addition to those nine, there were 16 youngsters who attended as Texas Lone Star Princesses.

The girls stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson all week.

The nine contestants competed in private interview, health and fitness, talent, evening gown, and onstage conversation.

“As a small-town girl that has watched the Miss Texas competition her entire life as well as attending the past seven years, you could never have convinced me that I would one day be attending as a director, but here we are locking in our second year,” Emily Goodson said. “Rebuilding the pageant saga here in our Tri-County area has been anything, but boring. I have watched young teens second guess on signing up for our locals, only then to go on and compete at the state level! The confidence that this organization has built in these young ladies astonishes me. In two very short years, we have had a total of 11 local girls compete on the Miss Texas stage.”

Not only were there nine local girls competing this year, accompanying alongside of them were 16 Texas Lone Stars Princesses. The Texas Lone Star is a mentorship program for girls ages 5-12 to attend the Miss Texas competition with a title holder and allows them an inside look on what their future could potentially hold.

“They get the opportunity to perform a special dance onstage at each show and have the honor of joining their title holder onstage during her evening gown portion of competition,” Goodson said. “Along with these 25 ladies, we had numerous family members and friends come cheer on our local girls. Our Tri-County area was represented well with I am sure close to 100 attendees by the end of the week.

Miss Houston’s Teen Makenna Eppes was Finalist for The Change Maker Scholarship, Finalist for The Women in STEM Scholarship, Best of Texas Silver Medalist, Pinnacle Club – Sold 10+ Ad Pages, Non-Finalist Health and Fitness Scholarship $150, and Non-Finalist Evening Gown Scholarship $150. Her Texas Lone Star was Izabella Lima.

Miss Burleson’s Teen Kenady Morris won the Semi Finalist - $750 Scholarship. 6th place Overall at Miss Texas’ Teen Competition, The Change Maker Scholarship $250, The What Love Can Do Scholarship $250, The Live Like Katie Jo Vaughn Scholarship $250, and Best of Texas Bronze Medalist. Her Texas Lone Star was Stanlee Jo Hamilton.

Miss Fall Frolic’s Teen Brianna Latray won the Greg Solomon Heart of a Hero Scholarship $250, Random Acts of Kindness Scholarship, and Best of Texas Bronze Medalist. Her Texas Lone Star was Gracie Franco.

Miss Freestone County’s Teen Cadence Webster was a Finalist for The Love of Ryan Scholarship. Her Texas Lone Star was Laney Lehman.

Miss Buffalo Stampede’s Teen Evangeline Arabie won The Women in STEM Scholarship $500. Her Texas Lone Star was Vivenne Arabie.

Miss Limestone County’s Teen Gabi Trevino won Best of Texas Bronze Medalist. Her Texas Lone Stars were Haylee and Kelsie West.

Miss Leon County’s Teen Mikah Kesinger won Best of Texas Silver Medalist and Pinnacle Club - Sold 10+ Ad Pages. Her Texas Lone Stars were Meia Gilley, Harleigh DeBorde, Savannah Fulmer, and Madison Helfenbein.

Miss Tri County’s Teen Lexi Goodson won the Strive for Honor Scholarship for $250. Her Texas Lone Stars were Kyler Ann Holcomb, Gracie Franco, Harper Easter, and Selah Smith.

Miss Bi-Stone’s Teen Marissa Eppes also competed. Her Texas Lone Stars were Candance Barnes and Amelia Solley.

“Our community has shown support in various ways throughout this journey and they didn’t slack up during competition week. Words will never be enough to say just how proud I am of each individual and how grateful I am for each parent, friend or family member that has a role in these young ladies’ lives,” Goodson said. “ I am ecstatic to watch the future unfold, and I cannot wait to see who will be joining me at Miss Texas for the Summer of 2025. Let’s go girls.”