BY DAN HILDEBRAN
A Union County High School senior dual enrolled at Florida Gateway College claimed the 2024-2025 Miss Union County High School title after highlighting a World War II-era icon that symbolized the emerging role of women in the workforce.
Aubrie Muse donned the blue jumpsuit and red polka dot scarf made famous in the 1942 “We Can Do It!” poster that symbolized women’s role in manufacturing during the war.
During the pageant’s theme-wear competition, the 17-year-old struck the famous pose of Rosie pulling up a shirt sleeve and flexing a bicep. Co-host Mia Kent said Muse wanted to honor the famous icon who empowered women to be strong and confident and to enter the workforce while the nation’s men were away fighting the war.
Aubrie Muse is the daughter of Brad and Kristin Muse. In addition to winning the overall title, Muse took awards for the best GPA, Best Opening Number Presentation, and Best Interview.
The 17-year-old is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Theater Club, Performing Arts Club, and Cheer. She is also a member of Theta Kappa International Honor Society and plans to major in business and minor in graphic design at the University of Florida.
Muse also won the awards for Best Opening Number Presentation, Best Interview, and the Highest GPA.
During the talent competition, she danced to the song “The Truth” by Megan Woods.
Her onstage question asked about her involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“I wanted to spread God’s love to everyone,” she said, “including all of my fellow classmates.”
Also competing were Isabelle Kirsten, Ava Westmoreland, Chloie Harris, and Zoe Elixson.
‘It’s okay to be yourself’’
The first runner-up was Zoe Elixson, who also won the People’s Choice Award, the Director’s Award, the award for Best On-Stage Question, the Best Evening Gown Award, the Best Theme Wear Award, the Best Talent Award, and the Most Photogenic Award.
Elixson is a 17-year-old senior, the daughter of Justin and Leyla Elixson. She is a member of FCA, SWAT, Beta Club, the cheer team, and the golf Team. She plans to attend college to study Musical Theater and Dance and pursue a career in the Performing Arts.
During the onstage question segment of the pageant, Elixson was asked how the Miss Union County High competition helped her to lead by example.
“By showing me that it’s okay to be yourself on stage,” she answered, comparing the experience to her theater background. “I’m used to playing a character or being someone that I’m not, and I think that this experience has really helped me to be myself on stage, and I think that’s helped me grow in my confidence as well.”
Elixson danced to a violin cover of the song “Die with a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga in the talent competition.
Her theme wear highlighted the 1920s.
Miss Congeniality
Isabelle Kirsten won Miss Congeniality.
Kirsten is a 16-year-old junior, the daughter of Julie and Jonny Kirsten. She is a member of JROTC, FFA, and the track and field team. Thanks to her JROTC experience, she plans to enlist in the Army National Guard as an E3 after high school. She also plans to attend Santa Fe College and take ROTC courses at the University of Florida.
For her onstage question, Kirsten was asked why she decided to enlist in the National Guard.
“By joining the JROTC program,” she responded, “they provided me resources and showed me how many benefits it would be for me to enlist, and it’s really inspired me.”
The 16-year-old’s talent was singing “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra and Count Basie.
Kirsten highlighted the 1920s in the theme wear competition.
Pig escaped during FFA show
Westmoreland is an 18-year-old senior. She is the daughter of Forrest and Sara Westmoreland. She is a member of FFA and the varsity cheer team. She plans to attend Santa Fe College to study Ultrasound Technology.
In the onstage question segment of the show, Kara Masnard, Miss Union County High School for 1997, asked Westmoreland about the most challenging aspect of showing in FFA.
The 18-year-old said getting her pig used to the whip was the most challenging part of showing.
“Funny story,” she added, “Actually, my pig got out into the bleachers during one of my shows, and it was very chaotic, but that is the most challenging part of showing in FFA.”
During the talent competition, Westmoreland sang “I Am Not Alone” by Kari Jobe.
Westmoreland’s theme wear featured the 1950s.
Played the Glockenspiel
Harris is the 16-year-old daughter of Rebecca Harris and Timothy Allen and Donnie and Sarah Harris. She is a member of JROTC, where she’s also a member of the Raiders team, the military police, air rifle team, drill team JLab and honor guard. She’s also a member of FCA and Junior Friends of the Library. Harris plans to complete her AA before she graduates high school. Upon graduation, she plans to become an esthetician so she can work while attending Florida Gateway to begin her dermatology study.
Masnard asked Harris if she could travel to any country, which country she would pick, and why.
“It would be anywhere with another culture that I could experience and anywhere that I could help,” she said.
For her talent, Harris played “Colors of the Wind” from the movie “Pocahontas” on the Glockenspiel.
Harris chose the 1980s for her theme wear.
Harris, Kirsten, Muse, and Elixson tied for the Teacher Recommendation Award.
Farewell walk
Cailynn Boggs, Miss Union County High School for 2023-2024, gave out the awards and took her final walk as the reigning Miss Union County High. In her farewell address, Boggs thanked her family and supporters over the last year and offered advice to her successor.
“Always remember to lead with grace,” Boggs said. “God is your Number 1 supporter and will guide you through your time. This year will move so fast that you won’t even realize it happened until it’s over. Be kind. Be involved, but you must be yourself.”
