It’s not just about the dress, the talent, the look, the hair, or even the shoes. It’s about the $1,500 up for grabs to the college of their choice.
Cheraw High School will present the Miss Brave Scholarship Pageant this Saturday, Mar. 9, in the school’s gymnasium. The event begins at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $10. Tickets sold at the door will be $12.
Eleven young ladies are competing for this year’s crown in several categories. According to Janet Caulder and Karen Ellerbe, the faculty members in charge of the pageant, each contestant will be interviewed prior to the pageant. Following an opening number choreographed by Nikki Dennis Brantley, the girls will compete in casual wear and evening gowns. The talent competition also is a large part of the necessary winning components.
Entertainment for the evening will include performances from Cheraw High School students, former Miss Brave winners, the Cheraw High School Jazz Band, and the Nikki Brantley Dance Studio.
Choles Roddy, Miss Brave 2012, will be on hand to crown this year’s winner. Roddy is currently a student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
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CONTESTANT: Chrisa Marie Murray, 17, is a senior. Her parents are Marvin and Wendy Murray. She has one brother, Christopher Murray.
INFLUENCE: My directors have influenced me to play trumpet. My experience during The Tribe’s trip to Washington, D.C., to march in the National Memorial Day Parade inspired me to tell the story of trumpets.
AMBITIONS: I would like to attend Winthrop University in the fall and major in music education. After I graduate I would like to come back to this area and be a middle school band director.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Cars and Cars II
FAVORITE MUSIC: Rock/Alternative
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: Hard work pays off.
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CONTESTANT: Meagan Taylor Hunter, 17, is a senior. Her parents are Scott and Adeana Hunter. She has one brother, Chandler Hunter.
INFLUENCE: Michael Jackson. My dance is a tribute to Michael Jackson and will be performed to a medley of three of his greatest hits.
AMBITIONS: I plan to graduate from the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Following college graduation, I plan to teach and professionally dance; and one day open a dance studio in Charleston.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
FAVORITE MUSIC: Pop
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: Cherish every moment because life passes in the blink of an eye.
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CONTESTANT: Taylor Freeman, 16, is a sophomore. Her parents are Ron and Allison Freeman. She has one sister, Errica Freeman.
INFLUENCE: My influence for developing the talent I’m doing in the pageant is the ability to be something different without changing my own ways.
AMBITIONS: My ambitions to receive higher education are attending Appalachian State University and obtaining a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Following my graduation from college, I plan to work at a children’s hospital in the oncology unit.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Titanic
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: The most significant life lesson I’ve learned in high school is just staying true to yourself. High school changes some people and staying true to yourself prohibits the negative changing that could take place.
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CONTESTANT: Alli Lewis, 16, is a senior. Her parents are Ronald and Joy Lewis.
INFLUENCE: My mother influenced me to become a dancer when I was just a child. I wanted my talent to be dancing in Miss Brave because I have done it all my life, thanks to my wonderful mother.
AMBITIONS: I will be attending Francis Marion University in the fall, majoring in pre-med, and continuing to the Medical University of South Carolina to become an oncologist.
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Notebook
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: That you must work hard to achieve your goals.
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CONTESTANT: Allie Castor, 16, is a junior. Her parents are Dan and Hope Castor. She has two sisters, Brittany and Sarah; and a brother, Carson Castor.
INFLUENCE: Music has always been important in my family. “Annie” is one of my favorite childhood movies.
AMBITIONS: I plan to attend Coastal Carolina University where I will pursue a degree in special education.
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Titanic
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: Being in high school has made me appreciative of the opportunity I have been given. I understand that I have to make every moment count. There are no second chances.
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CONTESTANT: Kaylee Breanna Wallace, 15, is a freshman. Her mother is Sara Wallace. She has three brothers, Tyler and Makinley Wallace, and Dylan English.
INFLUENCE: My family has always helped me with my talent. I have always loved singing and hope to continue with it.
AMBITIONS: After graduating high school, I would like to attend Duke University or the University of South Carolina to major in criminal justice and start my career as a forensics criminologist.
FAVORITE MOVIE: I love all eight Harry Potter movies.
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: Treat others how you want to be treated.
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CONTESTANT: Logan Dunn, 16, is a sophomore. Her parents are Jason and Vicky Dunn. She has a sister, Jaysa Dunn, and a brother, Rusty Wallace.
INFLUENCE: My grandpa always talked about when he played the piano and I enjoyed those talks we shared.
AMBITIONS: I plan on attending the College of Charleston to get a degree in the medical field to become an obstetrician.
FAVORITE MOVIE: A Walk to Remember
FAVORITE MUSIC: I don’t have a particular genre I like, because I like a variety.
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: I have learned to treat other people with respect.
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CONTESTANT: Eve Nobles, 16, is a junior. Her parents are Wilbur and Teresa Nobles. She has one sister, Dori Nobles.
INFLUENCE: My interest in playing music was influenced by a love of listening to music since I was little. My great-aunt began teaching me to play piano when I was ten years old. My middle school and high school band directors also helped me develop a passion for percussion instruments.
AMBITIONS: After graduating high school, I plan on going to Coker College. I will major in early childhood education; and I will minor in either theater, computer science, or photography. Eventually, I plan on teaching pre-school or kindergarten, and doing acting, computer repair, or photography as a side career.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Lilo and Stitch
FAVORITE MUSIC: Rock
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: Never be afraid to reach out and get to know all your schoolmates, because you never know when someone needs a friend … or when you’ll need one yourself.
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CONTESTANT: Kate Thomas, 18, is a senior. Her parents are Mike and Kathy Thomas. She has two sisters, Caroline and Maggie Thomas.
INFLUENCE: At a young age, my father’s love for music inspired me to begin taking piano lessons, and I’ve loved it ever since.
AMBITIONS: After acquiring a bachelor of science in special education at the College of Charleston, I will continue my education to become an Autism Spectrum Specialist.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Because of Winn-Dixie
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: I’ve learned to become more independent and to follow my personal values and beliefs.
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CONTESTANT: Taylor Wood, 16, is a junior. Her parents are John and Regina Witherspoon. Her siblings include Jimmy, Timmy and Grayce Witherspoon, Makenzi and Zain Cassidy.
INFLUENCE: I have been singing since I was really little, but I really got passionate about singing when a woman named Ally Powel came and started singing with me.
AMBITIONS: I plan on either being a graphic designer and/or a cosmetologist. These two things are very close and dear to my heart in so many ways.
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Last Song
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON LEARNED: The most significant would have to be who my true friends are.
— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, or by email at kkissiah@civitasmedia.com.
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