HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — Central High School senior Stella Higdon was crowned Fairest of the Fair on Saturday, August 8.
She is the daughter of Josh & Jana Higdon.
Higdon has competed in the Carroll County Fair Pageant since she was a young girl and said the title means she’ll get to represent Carroll County at the Tennessee State Fair in January.
“I’ve been a pageant girl ever since I was three years old,” Higdon said. “For 14 years, I’ve been participating in pageants, and it’s truly been the best thing for my life.”
She credited both her family and the pageant organizations she’s been part of, including Miss Volunteer America, which she said emphasizes service, volunteerism and self-esteem.
“My family is my everything,” Higdon said. “Whether I’m competing for Tennessee Volunteer or Carroll County Fairest of the Fair, they’re always behind me, and I’m truly thankful for them.”
Asked what advice she’d give young girls interested in pageants, Higdon pointed to her faith.
“Trust God and trust His timing,” she said. “I’ve been through many valleys in my life, but I’ve also experienced mountaintops. So keep pushing, keep persevering, because you never know when you’ll reach that mountaintop.”
After graduation, Higdon plans to study biology at the University of Mississippi before transferring to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
“Animals have always played a huge role in my life,” she said, “so serving them as a future veterinarian is truly just something that I cannot wait to do.”
Joining Higdon in the Fairest of the Fair court are Allie Kate Smith, 1st Maid, daughter of Alicia Busby and Terry Smith, and Katelynn Prather, 2nd Maid, daughter of Brian and Amanda Prather.
The Fairest of the Fair pageant was one of several age-division contests held Saturday as part of Fairest of the Fair events.
Little Miss Carroll County
Little Miss Carroll County, ages 4-6, was won by Lainee Brown, daughter of Matt & Leslie Brown. She was joined in the court by 1st Maid Serenity Gibson, 2nd Maid Kinsey Mae Prater, daughter of Austin & Alexis Prater, and 3rd Maid Payton Gowan, daughter of Jon-Marc & Megan Gowan.
LITTLE MISS CARROLL COUNTY ROYALTY — Serenity, 1st Maid; Lainee Brown, Little Miss Carroll County, daughter of Matt & Leslie Brown; Kinsey Mae Prater, 2nd Maid, daughter of Austin & Alexis Prater; Payton Gowan, 3rd Maid, daughter of Jon-Marc & Megan Gowan.
Little Miss Fairest of the Fair
Little Miss Fairest of the Fair, ages 7-9, was won by Caroline Campbell, daughter of Brian & Megan Campbell. She was joined in the court by 1st Maid Sayla Mitchell, daughter of McKenna Fry and Ashton Mitchell; 2nd Maid Callie Hatcher, daughter of Jasmine & Wes Hatcher; and 3rd Maid Maylee Holmes, daughter of Lyle & Rachel Holmes.
Jr. Fairest of the Fair
Jr. Fairest of the Fair, ages 10-12, was won by Camilla Jenkins, daughter of Cassidy Cozort and Alvin Jenkins. She was joined in the court by 1st Maid Layla Jones, daughter of Matthew & Amanda Jones, and 2nd Maid Emma Dillingham, daughter of Stephanie and John Dillingham.
Miss Teen Fairest of the Fair
Miss Teen Fairest of the Fair, ages 13-15, was won by Ava Grace Gordon, daughter of Heather & David Gordon. The Huntingdon High freshman enjoys cheerleading, yodeling, and spending time with friends. She was joined in the court by 1st Maid Avrie Rose Estes, daughter of Charlie & Jessica Estes, and 3rd Maid Olivia Carey, daughter of Justin & Dawn Oakes.
