Meet 7 of the candidates vying to be named Ms. Juneteenth in upcoming Topeka pageant
With Juneteenth only a page and a half away on the calendar, the preparation to begin celebrating the holiday has begun.
Eight high school students have been chosen as candidates for the Ms. Juneteenth 2024 scholarship pageant. The local pageant winner will advance to participate in the National Miss Juneteenth pageant.
With three years of experience in operating a pageant, Norma Avery, president of Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration, said it has been exciting. Previous queens have been Christyaun Ware in 2021, Shauntal Phillips in 2022 and Sa'Niia Davis in 2023.
"We have been blessed, because this here is just amazing to keep it going," Avery said. "The girls are still energetic and ready to go. We have a lot of community support, and when we go out to volunteer, we want them to talk to the community — let them know who they are, what grade they're in and what their future plans are so maybe they'll get an idea of who they want to win."
Pageant director Danette Elkins said it takes a lot of partnership and funding, but this year, organizers want people to come to cheer favorite contestants.
"Sometimes they come in and say: 'Oh, she's cute! OK, let's see what she does.' But this year, we really want to draw them into the contestants," Elkins said.
Elkins said organizers are excited the pageant hasn't lacked in contestants or support in its first four years.
"So, it's really awesome," she said. "This year is going to be fun, though. We get to build a bond with them this year. That's kind of different."
The pageant will be at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Garvey Fine Arts Center on the Washburn University campus, 1700 S.W. College Ave.
The Capital-Journal spoke with seven of the eight contestants for this year's pageant. Here's what they think of the pageant opportunity and the Topeka community. Aniyah Sanders wasn't available.
Jayaira Garner, sophomore at Shawnee Heights High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"When I was little, there wasn't a lot of Black culture, and now that Juneteenth is a federal holiday, everybody is just so excited now. I want to be a part of that celebration and I want to represent that."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"To help more, to volunteer more and have a voice in the community."
Liana Murphy, junior at Washburn Rural High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"It would give me the confidence to get me out of my shell and for me to be able to be an inspiration to someone else because being Ms. Juneteenth, you inspire other people, and you show that confidence. You show your intellect and your achievements and that someone that looks like you can do that can achieve something successful. So, I wish to be that for someone."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"I would love to continue to support my community by going to all the events or volunteer opportunities they have, supporting Black businesses that may sell jewelry or clothing. I would also want to share more about what Juneteenth is. More Black history and have more people know about things that I feel we don't know."
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Michelle Alexander-Masawa, junior at Topeka West High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"I wanted to do something before my senior year ended. Something I knew I would be able to leave a footprint in. Something for when I get older, I can show my kids this stuff was going on. ... I thought about it after a while, and I realized I really want to step out of my comfort zone."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"I would like us to finally get our name out there. We're a pretty decent city. Nothing really terrible happens here. I kind of want to put us out here, because when you think of Kansas, you think of Kansas City or Wichita, you never really think of Topeka. Which is weird, because we're the capital, so I just want to put the Topeka name out there."
Dadriona Anderson, senior at Topeka West High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"Really for me it's just showing that I have a foothold in my community, and I can do something and change it for the better."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"I can't think of anything specifically at the moment because I feel like there's a vast majority of things that need to be fixed. Like in Topeka's Black community, I think the first thing I can think of is bringing our community inwards, stronger and building that strength."
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Areiana Green, sophomore at Lawrence High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"I want to change how people view us as Black Women and how they view Kansas as a whole. I feel like we are very targeted kind of, and I just want to put Kansas out there."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"My attitude and my determination to keep going."
Pearmella Carter, freshman at Highland Park High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"So, I can be a part of our history, spreading it and helping Topeka Juneteenth get out there."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"Helping the Topeka name get out there more, because usually when you think of the area of Kansas people think of Kansas City or somewhere else. They don't think of Topeka."
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D'AhJah Ne'Vae Groves, sophomore at Topeka High School
Why do you want to become the next Ms. Juneteenth?
"I love being a role model to others. I like bettering myself, so others can see that they can do better for themselves, because I know what it's like to feel like you're stuck in a position. So, to express myself and show other Black young ladies that they can do it and be more confident in themselves."
If you win this position, what is one thing you'd like to contribute to the Topeka community?
"I realize that a lot of girls my age suffer from depression or even insecurities, so I would do more contributions towards mental health or have events for younger ladies to express themselves. Like make-up or anything to make them feel better about themselves."
Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Meet 7 candidates vying for Ms. Juneteenth title in Topeka pageant
