PELHAM – Pelham High School senior Anna Grace Hall could hardly contain her excitement as she was named the 2019 winner of the Miss PHS Pageant on Saturday, Feb. 2, in the school’s auditorium.

A radiant smile that stretched from ear to ear was glued on her face as she was crowned. Ryleigh Chambers, winner of the 2018 Miss PHS Pageant, who is now attending Samford University, crowned the new Miss PHS. The title of Junior Miss PHS was also awarded.

Hall competed with 21 other young ladies. The pageant consisted of an opening dance featuring the contestants, a beauty walk in evening gowns and an on-stage interview. Before the pageant the girls also participated in one-on-one interviews with the four judges.

“I was so shocked and excited,” she said. “I had no idea I’d win. I just tried my hardest and I’m so grateful to be the winner.”

For a week leading up to pageant, the girls practiced every day – preparing for their on-stage and one-on-one interviews and practicing their walks. For Hall, the interview portion of the pageant was the most challenging.

“I practiced for the interview all week,” she said. “My advice to anyone wanting to participate in the future is to practice and be confident in your abilities.”

Junior Miss PHS went to Kennedy Chambers. Several other awards were given at the end of the pageant. Katie Griffin won for Best Interview, Isabella Bass was named Miss Congeniality, Ashlee Abbott was dubbed Most Photogenic, Laci Howard was the Junior Miss PHS runner up and Jordan Shanahan won Miss PHS runner up.

This year, the Pelham High School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) participated as the sponsor of the pageant and gave a $1,000 scholarship to the recipient of Miss PHS toward her future collegiate and professional endeavors. A $300 in-school scholarship was given to the recipient of Junior Miss PHS to apply to student fees at the school.

Each year, Miss PHS serves as an opportunity for teenage girls to grow in their professional development skills through participating in a professional interview and through speaking on stage.

Lillian Lalo, multimedia journalist with CBS 42, and Cameron Edward, news reporter for CBS 42, will be the masters of ceremony for the pageant.