SESQUICENTENNIAL PAGEANT— In the photo at above, Virginia Ruth Halsey (left) and Helen Crouse pause for a photo after respectively being named the runner-up and the winner in the Ms. Alleghany portion of the pageant. PHOTOS BY LAURA THORNBURG

Pageant draws 200; winners announced

Helen Crouse and Amanda Galyean were named the winners of the Ms. and Miss Alleghany Sesquicentennial Pageant following the Saturday night event at Sparta School Auditorium. Crouse and runner-up Virginia Ruth Halsey each donated their cash prospective winnings ($500 and $100, respectively) to the Alleghany Sesquicentennial Steering Committee. Galyean and runner-up Chelsea Jones received similar winnings—Galyean received a $500 scholarship to go toward further education after high school and Jones was given a $100 cash prize.

Just over 200 attended the pageant, according to Margaret Crouse, who serves as the co-chair of the Sesquicentennial Promotions Committee.

"We were pleased with the attendance and certainly appreciative of all the contestants who entered the pageant," commented Crouse. "In my opinion, they are all winners. I'd like to thank all the sponsors, committee members and supporters, as well as those who have donated items to be used toward the decoration of the pageant set."

Crouse also expressed gratitude to the judges who donated their time and effort toward the event. Judges of the pageant were Larry Boone, Selinda Boone, Becky Ferrell, Michael Inman and Scarlett Inman. The pageant committee consisted of Margaret Crouse, Sandy Carter, Peggy Brady, Clara Crouse and Linda Woodie.

The pageant festivities were headed by master of ceremonies, Wes Brinegar and included musical entertainment by Garrison Wagoner. Preceding the pageant, Sparta Mayor John Miller, Ken and Betty Richardson, Virginia Van Hampton and Amos Jr. and Doris Wagoner took a few moments to reminisce about days gone by.

During the Ms. Alleghany talent portion of the pageant, Halsey displayed photos of scenes with flowers around her home; Marion Adams performed a "Designing Women" monologue; Eula Rae Cook sang "Hey Big Spender" to Ken Richardson.

Participants in the sesquicentennial pageant (photo at left) pause for a photo following the evening pageant. Pictured are (from left) Kathryn Abernathy, Amos Wagoner Jr., Helen Crouse, Eula Rae Cook, Marion Adams, Virginia Ruth Halsey, Sparta Mayor John Miller, Jennifer Crouse, Ashley Billings, Amanda Galyean, Chelsea Jones, Alleghany Commission Chair Ken Richardson and Master of Ceremonies Wes Brinegar.