HIGHLANDSThe Highlands Little League celebrated over a half-century of bringing baseball to the community this past weekend with their 51st Annual Opening Day.
The celebration began Friday night with the annual queens pageant.
Each team is responsible for raising money before the start of the season. During the pageant the team that raises the most money is recognized and their queen is named the Little League Queen for that year.
This year the Major Braves raised close to $27,000 earning Madison Bennett the queens title. Rebekah Stombaugh, who represented the Tee-ball Astros placed second with her team earning $18,000. Coming in third was Diana Singer, from the Major Indians with $17,000. Singer was the 2003 Little League Queen.
According to League president Grant Slusser, the league raised over $100,000.
This years pageant also featured a talent competition in three age groups. In the Peewee class, Hannah Dooley won first for her singing of Take me Out to The Ball Game. Anna Keyes placed second, Savannah Pipkins placed third and Cassandra Weber came in fourth.
In the Junior Division, Jaclyn Holloway wowed the judges with her balloon sculpting skills. Briana Pipkins placed second and Savannah Pogue placed third.
Stombaugh also won first in senior talent with a prose selection of the truth behind Marys Little Lamb. Marlo Lamb came in second and Leigh Ann Thompson placed third.
Before the start of the season, the league had a fun day during which a homerun derby was held. Derby winners were: 5-6 year olds: Colton Belvin and Landon Stockwell 1st; Baylor Doffing, 2nd. 7-8 year olds: Ty Cook, 1st; Andrew Pantoja, 2nd and Zane Weaver, 3rd. 9-10 year olds: Tyler Masterson, 1st; Alex White, 2nd and Kyle Davis and Ethan Lansford, 3rd. 11-12 year olds: Joseph Cross, 1st; John Pantoja and Justin Parker, 2nd and Theron Stockwell and Watson Moore, 3rd.
Activities continued Saturday morning with a parade on Main Street and Opening Day ceremonies at the ball fields.