HIGHLANDS This past weekend was a weekend that Megan Adams will likely never forget.
On Friday night she was recognized as the Junior Duchess for Goose Creek Memorials first-ever Patriot Court. Then the next afternoon she was crowned the 2008 Miss Highlands.
Adams becomes only the fourth girl in pageant history to wear both the Miss Highlands and Junior Miss Highlands crown. She won the Junior Miss title 2004.
This years pageant theme, which was held at the new Highlands Junior School, was A Tribute to Musicals.
The pageant began with an opening number performed to a mix of songs from the Broadway hit Mamma Mia. Jamie Lumpkin choreographed the opening number, which also featured 2007 Miss Highlands Kayla Neathery.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies for both the pageants was Matthew Forestiere, whom Neathery assisted.
Miss Highlands contestants are judged in four areas. The first was the Jamboree Parade held earlier in the day. Then, during the pageant, they compete in the areas of Sportswear, Evening Gown and Interview.
There is an optional talent competition. This years talent included a comedy routine, singing and dancing, sign language and a martial arts routine.
Adams also won this years talent competition with a performance of In My Own Little Corner, from Rodgers and Hammersteins Cinderella.
For most of the girls the toughest part of the pageant is the interview in which they have to come up with a answer on the spot for an unknown question. This years question was who was the most influential person in your life and why? Answers included parents, a grandmother and an older sister.
During the pageant the audience received special entertainment from the singing duo of Susie Thompson Garcia and Lorie Lopez.
At the close of the pageant a number of special awards were presented. Madison Gibson was awarded the Jennie Robbins Community Service Award. Adams won the photogenic award while Brittany White was recognized for high ticket sales.
In a vote taken by the contestants, Gibson also won the congeniality award.
First Runner Up in the Miss Highlands voting was Tiara Bradford, while Jennifer Valentine won second runner-up. Later that evening, Elizabeth Keyes was crowned Junior Miss Highlands.
The Junior girls had an equally tough question to answer: If you could have one wish, what would it be. Answers included world peace and end to cancer, Altzheimers Disease and meeting Joe Jonas.
Nathan Edwards returned for the special entertainment.
Keyes also won the talent award for her performance of The Judds Grandpa, as well as the high ticket sales award. Maegan West was named most photogenic while Heather Plant won the congeniality award.
West was also named first runner up in the Junior Miss voting while Kassey Wright was named second runner up.