The Little Miss Union County Contest was recently held as part of the Union County 100th
Anniversary Celebration. Applications were received from 12 girls aged 5 to 10 years old. Each generation included on the application was verified to have lived within the geographical boundaries of Union County as declared by the political boundaries set forth in 1921 when Union County was established. If the generation recorded on the application could not be verified as a Union County resident through census or land records they could not be included.
The length of the ancestral lineage for each girl was based upon the birthdate of the applicant to the birthdate of the oldest verified ancestor. The number of generations was not considered because ages of parents can vary greatly. The committee was looking for the young lady with the longest lineage in Union County.
Each of the contestants that entered had over 100 years of family in Union County. This means their oldest ancestor would have been living her in Union County before we were even
recognized as an independent county. These young ladies are truly the descendants of Union County pioneers, and each girl represented a different pioneer family.
The girls were featured in the parade riding an elegant float with a pergola adorned with white flowers and draping while tulle. They had a backdrop of lovely greenery which was provided by Emerson Nursery and Priscilla Seay. Also on the float were the winners of the 1971 contest-Queen Mary Page McGill Ellis and Princess Kimberley Cunningham Perryman. The float was sponsored by Spires Market of Lake Butler just as it was at the County’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 1971.
The crowning ceremony was held on Saturday, Oct. 2, during the Anniversary Celebration activities at Lake Side Park.
The winner, with the longest lineage was Blair Harrison, the 7-year-old daughter of Kevin and Shayna Howard. Blair represented the pioneer Roberts family whose ancestry was confirmed back 236 years and 9 generations. Blair was crowned queen by the 1971 Little Miss Union County queen Mary Page McGill Ellis who still resides in Union County. Blair received a crown, trophy, sash, and a bouquet of roses.
Avery Ward, the 9-year-old daughter of Brand and Brittany Ward, represented the Douglas pioneer family. Avery’s ancestry was confirmed back 222 years and 8 generations. Avery was crowned princess by the 1971 Little Miss Union County princess Kimberley Cunningham Perryman. Kim also still resides in Union County. Avery received a trophy and a bouquet of roses.
Other contestants were:
Chloe Blake Cairel representing the Thomas (Nancy Hollingsworth) pioneer family, dating back 221 years and 8 generations.
Allie Cason representing the Hancock pioneer family, dating back 220 years and 9 generations.
Ayda Jean McNeal representing the Dukes pioneer family, dating back 201 years and 8 generations.
Kylee Ann Thomas representing the Williams pioneer family, dating back 179 years, and 7 generations.
Makailynn Rowan representing the Dubose pioneer family, dating back 168 years, and 6 generations.
Sybil Grace Thomas representing the Thomas (Bryant L) pioneer family, dating back 163 years, and 7 generations.
Kylee Elizabeth Touchstone representing the Touchstone pioneer family, dating back 160 years and 6 generations.
Peyton Howard representing the Mizelle pioneer family, dating back 147 years, and 6 generations.
Maci Lynn Shadd representing the Shadd pioneer family, dating back 129 years, and 6 generations.
Brynli Raulerson representing the Clemons pioneer family, dating back 113 years, and 5 generations.
Submitted by Page Ellis.
