This Saturday, May 8, 18 young women will vie for the title of Miss PCHS 2010. The auditorium will open for seating at 7 pm and the pageant will begin at 7:30 pm. The pageant participants will compete in the areas of casual wear, talent, and formal wear. On Friday, May 7, the contestants will have private interviews with the three judges.

Five runners-up will be named. Each runner-up will have two minutes to respond to a question posed by one of the judges. Trophies will be given to the young woman scoring highest on the talent portion and to the young woman voted by the contestants as Most Congenial. The winner of the title will receive a crown, sash, bouquet, and a professional portrait.

The first contestant is Kailey Neely Russell, daughter of Keith and Tammy Russell of Rutherfordton. Kailey is a junior who has participated in varsity volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Kailey is a member of the Future Farmers of America, the Fellowship of Christian Athlete, and a leader in FCA. She was a homecoming representative in 2008 and in 2009, was named Miss Wolverine.

The next contestant is Amber Victoria Abunassar, daughter of Vicki Abunassar of Tryon and Jamil Abunassar. Amber is a junior who is a member of Color Guard, the Key Club, Green Team, International Thespian Society, and serves on the yearbook staff. Amber has been selected to attend Girls State and UNC Project Uplift this summer.

JaTasia Michelle DeAnn Miller is the third contestant. JaTasia, a sophomore, is the daughter of Tiffany Miller of Tryon. She is active in Track and the Uplift Club. She also sings in her church youth choir .

Freshman Amber Lynn Lynch is the daughter of Bryan and Laura Lynch of Mill Spring. She plays volleyball, basketball, and softball and is a member of the Key Club, Interact, Future Farmers of American, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is a student government representative for her advocate.

Megan Kristina Fleming is a senior. She is the daughter of Joey Davis and Kim Pack of Tryon. She played softball and golf and is a member of Interact, Future Farmers of America, and the Humane Society Club.

The sixth contestant is Basak Sezgin, a senior, who hails from Sakarya, Turkey. One of five AFS students this year, Basak lives with American mom Robin Dixon of Green Creek. She is in dance club, theatre club, and student council in her home school in Turkey. Here, she runs on the PCHS track team.

Next is Savannah Jane Marino, daughter of John and Michelle Marino of Tryon. Savannah, a freshman, plays basketball, track, soccer, and cheers. She is on student council and takes honor classes.

Brittany Faye Phipps, a junior, is the daughter of David and Genie Phipps of Mill Spring. Brittany plays on the varsity volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams and is a member of Key Club, Interact Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, FFA, FTA, and FCA. She was all-conference in volleyball and basketball and is a HOBY alumnus.

Ashley Rebecca Lynch is a junior and the daughter of Bryan and Laura Lynch of Mill Spring. She is active in volleyball, basketball, and soccer and is the member of FFA, FTA, FCA, student council, Key Club, Interact, and National Honor Society. She currently serves as treasurer of this years junior class.

Freshman LaKeyah Chante Simpson is the daughter of Michelle Simpson of Mill Spring. She is a cheerleader and is a member of Uplift. She is on her churchs youth praise dance team and sings in the choir. She is an honor roll student.

Daughter of Dewayne and Cathy Elliott of Columbus, sophomore Rebecca Marie Elliott is on the indoor track team, the outdoor track team, and cross country team. She is a member of Key Club, Future Farmers of America, and National Honor Society. She also serves on student council.Savannah Lee Callahan, a sophomore, is the daughter of Kevin and Blythe Seay of Saluda. She plays on the softball team, is a cheerleader, and is a member of Key Club, International Thespian Society, and People for Christ. She is an active member of her youth group and participates in the youth drama team.

Sophomore Rachel Ann Vining is the daughter of John and Pam Vining of Tryon. Rachel plays basketball, tennis, and soccer and is a member of Key Club, Interact Club, Green Team, FCA, People for Christ, the Marching Cadets, International Thespian Society, and the National Honor Society.

Aliyha Genea Mullins is a freshman, daughter of Alfred Mullins and Tonya Cunningham of Tryon. She is a member of the step team and Uplift, is a cheerleader, and is a member of The Polk County Youth Competition Dance and Cheerleading team. She is also an award winning senior dancer at Dance Dynamic.

Daughter of Chris and Shea White of Columbus, Makenzie Shea White is a freshman who plays volleyball, basketball, and softball. She is a member of Key Club, FFA, FCA, HOSA, an advocate representative on student council and was named to the homecoming court as one of three freshman class representatives.

Junior Angela Nicole Jackson-Jones is the daughter of Gary and Dianne Pogue of Columbus. Angela serves as vice-president of the Uplift Club and is the Interact Club treasurer. She is also active in drama at the high school.

Sophomore Susan Stanhope Sams, known as Hope, is the daughter of Winn Sams of Columbus and Gus Sams of Southern Pines, N.C. Hope is a member of student council, International Thespian Society, and Future Farmers of America. She serves as vice-president of the sophomore class.

Senior Madelyn Grace Connor, known as Maggie, is the daughter of Curtis and Tracie Connor of Columbus. Maggie was captain of the volleyball team and has won all-regional and all-conference titles in the 100 and 300 yard hurdles and in the high jump. She is a member of National Honor Society, Interact, Humane Society, Green Team, and Spanish Club. She is also co-captain of this years news anchors.

Tickets for the Miss PCHS Pageant are available by calling (828)894-22 ext. 261 and will be available at the door the night of the pageant.