Bella Johns crowned Miss Union County High School

Miss Union County High School, 2024-2025, Aubrie Muse, crowns the new Miss UCHS, Bella Johns.

BY DAN HILDEBRAN

Bella Johns, an 18-year-old senior at Union County High School, was crowned Miss UCHS 2025-2026 during the annual scholarship pageant held at the school auditorium. The event, themed “Hometown Crown,” showcased eight young women competing for the title.

Johns, the daughter of Jason and Nancy Johns, impressed judges with her performances across multiple categories. She earned top honors in Best Opening Number Presentation, Best Theme Wear, and Best On Stage Question.

For her talent portion, Johns delivered a spoken-word performance in both English and Spanish of “Via Dolorosa,” Latin for “the way of suffering.”

“Stone kissed with blood,” Johns told the audience. “The road remembers his feet. Each step a sermon of love. The crowd breathes scorn, yet heaven leans close as mercy stumbles beneath the wood. No throne, no crown, but thorns. No sword but silence. No triumph but surrender, and still he walks, not driven by nails, but by love that will not turn back. The way of sorrows becomes the road of hope, or death itself learns to kneel.”

For Johns’s on-stage question, Miss UCHS 1989, Joy Zapp, asked the 18-year-old about the biggest challenge facing young people today.

“I believe the biggest challenge facing teens today is social media,” the contestant answered. “Comparison and just insecurity have really hurt our generation.”

Isabelle Kirsten, a 17-year-old senior and JROTC member, was named runner-up. Kirsten showcased her vocal talents by singing “Ur So Pretty” by the Wasai Project and earned Best Interview, Best Evening Gown, and Best On-Stage Question awards.

The pageant, co-directed by SarahBeth Vaughn and Erin Waters, serves as a fundraiser for the UCHS Class of 2028. Funds raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, and the People’s Choice Award will benefit the sophomore class.

Award winners

The competition featured multiple categories, with contestants demonstrating talents ranging from comedy and baton twirling to piano performance and sign language. Special award winners were:

Miss Congeniality: Addison Wright

Most Photogenic: Kenli Jenkins

Best Talent: Addison Wright

People’s Choice Award: Kenli Jenkins

During the talent competition, Wright, an 18-year-old senior and cheerleader, delivered a speech about overcoming challenges posed by her congenital cataract condition.

“I have taught myself that you can’t let someone who doesn’t know you define who you are and only you can write your story,” she told the audience.

Summer Shaw is a member of FFA, the Tigerettes, the cheer squad, and the golf team. After high school Shaw hopes to become a realtor.

Musical entertainment was provided by Sage Waters, a member of the Class of 2028.

Taylor Lesch is a member of FFA as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After high school, Lesch plans to attend college for biblical studies, start a women’s ministry, and be a role model to those around her.

Lillie Lane is a member of JROTC as well as the Beta Club. After high school, Lane plans to attend a university, join its ROTC program, and become a lawyer in the military.

Isabelle Kirsten, a 17-year-old senior and JROTC member, was named first runner-up. Kirsten showcased her vocal talents by singing “Ur So Pretty” by the Wasai Project and earned the Best Interview, Best Evening Gown, and Best On-Stage Question awards.

Kenli Jenkins won Most Photogenic and the People’s Choice Award. For her talent, she performed sign language to the classic Christian hymn, “How Great Thou Art.”

During her talent competition, which featured a stand-up comedy routine, Chloie Harris poked fun at her JROTC instructor, LTC Kevin Steverson. However, when highlighting her hometown hero, she said Steverson fulfills JROTC’s mission statement of motivating young people to be better citizens.

During the talent competition, Wright, an 18-year-old senior and cheerleader, delivered an inspiring speech about overcoming challenges posed by her congenital cataract condition.

Hometown Heroes Honored

In keeping with the “Hometown Crown” theme, each contestant honored a local hero who has made a difference in their community. Johns recognized Candace Brannen, a medical education teacher at UCHS, praising her dedication to students and her role in shaping future healthcare professionals.

Other honored hometown heroes included JROTC Senior Army Instructor LTC Kevin Steverson, agricultural teacher Tom Williams, and various community members who have impacted students’ lives through education, military service, and mentorship.

Community Support

The pageant was made possible through community sponsorship. TL Squared Builders, Inc. was the Queen Level sponsor. Nutrition Hideaway, Jessica Godwin: AFLAC, Beyond Brains and Beauty Consulting, Karly Ann Raulerson: Miss UCHS 2021, and Tim and Kim Rose were Princess Level sponsors. Muse Modern Construction sponsored the opening number. Beyond Brains and Beauty Consulting, Right Path Ranch, and TL Squared Builders sponsored Best Theme Wear, Best Interview, and Best Talent, respectively. Patsy Fortner: Miss UCHS, 1968, underwrote Best Evening Gown and Best Onstage Question. Terry’s Florals sponsored the runner-up prize and the first-place prize.

Judge Sarah Weaver, a former title holder in the Miss America organization and director of major gifts at One More Child, joined Kaity Prevatt, a registered radiologic technologist and former pageant co-director, and Robin Steele, who works for the Florida House of Representatives, in evaluating the contestants.

The evening concluded with outgoing Miss UCHS 2024-25 Aubrie Muse delivering her farewell walk and words of gratitude to those who supported her throughout her reign. Musical entertainment was provided by Sage Waters, a member of the Class of 2028.

Johns plans to complete her Associate of Arts degree at Florida Gateway College before attending Palm Beach Atlantic University to pursue a degree as a physician assistant specializing in dermatology. As an active student leader, she currently serves as student council secretary and vice president of the Beta Club, while participating in volleyball, FFA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Students Working Against Tobacco group.