All were special at Queen of Hearts pageant

A total of 18 girls each gained a title at the Feb. 16 Queen of Hearts pageant held at the Village Cinema.

Organizer Heather Downs said it was standing room only at the theater, the use of which was donated for the event.

Downs said the top overall title of “Coulee Sweetheart,” chosen by a secret judge, went to Melissa Merriman, of Electric City.

Winners of each division were:

Tiny Miss: Queen - Jaci Clark; Princess - Addison Marseilles; Jr. Princesses - Kimmie Thomason, Khloe Kelly.

Petite Miss: Queen - Rosie Downs; Princess - Kendra Jimenez; Jr. Princess - Emmie Olsen.

Little Miss: Queen - Avery Jensen; Princess - Allison Rice; Jr. Princesses - Rylee Nichols, Jocelyn Zaugg.

Young Miss: Queen - Katie Goodall; Princess - Alexia Ryan; Jr. Princesses - Ciara Jimenez, Brianna Whybark, Amy Morin, Melissa Merriman.

Teen Miss: Queen - Chanell Jim.

The judges were Vicki Bainard, Marilyn Martino, Lynette Zierden, and Desiree Rice.

“All of the girls were fantastic and beautiful,” Downs said.

She said plans for next year’s event and for a Colorama Parade float are already in motion, and next year a “special needs” category will be added.

“All young women from the community regardless of entries to pageant are invited to participate in the Queen of Hearts Youth Development Program activities,” Downs said, noting that volunteer programs will begin the second week of March.

Downs said the pageant would not have been possible without support from sponsors and from The Village Cinema and Riverview Lanes for hosting the event.

Tiny Miss Princess Addison Marseilles braves the stage at the pageant.

— submitted photo