A new Miss La Vergne and her royal court were crowned on Saturday, August 22 at La Vergne High School during the fifth annual Miss La Vergne Pageants. Mackenzie Henry, a junior at Riverdale High School, was named Miss La Vergne and also received the People's Choice award. She is the daughter of Heath and Holly Henry and granddaughter of 35-year La Vergne residents Gloria and Frank Victory.
Mackenzie said one of her concerns for youth today is bullying, "I myself have experience with bullying. I never guessed I would be bullied but when it happened it hurt." She believes leaders of her generation should be an uplifting example to others in order to stop bullying and make more friendships.
Judges scored contestants individually (rather than "comparison" judging) in six categories, including personality, confidence, eye contact and smile, response to interview question, stage presentation, and overall appearance.
The judges this year included Miss America 1983 Debra Maffett; Anchor and Reporter with WKRN television Lori Mitchell; former model Kathy Kemp; and 2014 Mrs. American Beauties Plus for Tennessee Michelle Smith.
Other winners of the Miss La Vergne pageants are:
Junior Miss La Vergne
Kaylee Adcock-Andrews, Queen
Age 12, Grade 8, Rock Springs Middle School
Parents: Kelinda Adcock Andrews and Stewart Andrews
Chalyse Bauer, People's Choice Winner
Age 12, Grade 7 La Vergne Middle School
Parents: Chantell Knuth and Heath Bauer
Young Miss La Vergne
Kayla Mae Grimes, Queen
Age 9, Grade 4, La Vergne Lake Elementary
Parents: Nicole Grimes and Jay Jerome
Robin Phelps, People's Choice Winner
Age 8, Grade 3, Roy Waldron Elementary School
Parents: Theresa Hesse or Robert Phelps
Little Miss La Vergne
Sydney Brown, Queen and People's Choice Winner
Age 7, Grade 2, Cason Lane Academy
Parents: Kyle and Courtney Brown
Along with the pageants, the city also holds a baby show. Winners of the baby show include:
La Vergne Baby Prince
Kyran Logan Leonard, son of Toni Angel Tompkins
La Vergne Baby Princess
Abigalle Faith McCormick, daughter of Rachell Moulton and Tyler McCormick
La Vergne Toddler Prince
Jayden Richard Bailey, son of Melissa Tyson and Billy Bailey
La Vergne Toddler Princess
Teagan Andrea Brown, daughter of Danielle and Gerald Brown
La Vergne Prince
Desmond Cole, son of Jason and Bridget Cole
La Vergne Princess
Elizabeth Nicole Graves ("Ellie"), daughter of Ryan Graves and Tara Allen
La Vergne pageant winners and runners-up will participate in the Old Timers Festival parade scheduled on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. There is no entry fee to participate, however applications must be turned in to Parks & Recreation no later than Monday, September 14.
