There’s something magical about a crown, and there’s something very special about winning one.
On March 22, the Little Miss Buford and Miss Sweetheart of Georgia pageant crowned winners who had waited with anticipation to find out they would become reigning queens in their respective age or grade level divisions.
Established in 1993 as a fundraiser for the Buford High School Band of Wolves music program, it was the 32nd year the band hosted the pageant for young ladies from newborns to age 18 from Buford and across the state.
Director Paige Ewing described the pageant as a special event that allows contestants to engage in a fun and positive experience in a safe environment surrounded by their families, friends, classmates and local community.
“It also allows families and contestants who don’t live in Buford an opportunity to be a part of the welcoming and uplifting culture that Buford is known for. There is something truly magical for the queens to represent their hometown and school as a Little Miss Buford Queen. The highlight of their year is riding in the Homecoming parade,” Ewing said. “Our queens also will be actively volunteering and serving various charities and organizations throughout their reign.”
This year’s pageant hosted 93 girls taking the stage at the Performing Arts Center at Buford High School. Participants were divided into groups based on their ages or grade levels. The contestants were scored on their evening gown walk and then a group line-up. Judges then gave a single score between 1 and 10.
“Outside of registering for the pageant, there are no additional requirements to fundraise; however, the contestants can register as an Ambassador, which qualifies them to compete for either the Buford title or the Sweetheart of Georgia title, and it enters them into all of the optional competitions like interview (ages 5 and older), photogenic, prettiest hair/smile/dress, and gets them a color headshot in the program book. The contestants are also encouraged to collect monetary votes for the People’s Choice award and they can sell program book ads,” Ewing said. “The top two contestants with the most ad sales are crowned Supreme Ambassadors and receive a crown, satin sash, and trophy.”
The funds raised by the pageant are essential for Buford’s Band of Wolves and keeping costs down for band members and events throughout the school year. Bridget Wildes, the associate director of bands at BHS, described how the program uses funds that are raised from the pageant.
“It is a large fundraiser for our program. The money raised goes toward the budgets for marching band and winter guard, which allows us to keep membership fees affordable for students,” Wildes said. “We don’t ever want money to be a deterrent for students who want to be in band, and running large events like Little Miss Buford help us meet the needs of our budget without charging the students more.”
The pageant was a success with two emcees, Avery Ewing, who is the reigning Miss All American Jr. Teen and a sophomore student-athlete at BHS, along with professional pageant emcee Chris Saltalamacchio.
Both regular pageant participants and first-timers enjoyed the experience. Abigail Yurkturan, who was awarded Senior Teen Miss Buford, was grateful for the opportunity to serve the Buford community.
“It was an amazing experience participating in the 2025 Little Miss Buford pageant. This program never fails to amaze me in every way. Being in this pageant promotes personal growth, confidence and lifelong friendships. Winning a pageant means more than just taking home a crown,” Yurkturan said. “It symbolizes recognition, empowerment and dedication. It gives me the opportunity to be a role model and advocate for important causes.”
Adriana Dyer, who was crowned Preteen Miss Buford, sees the opportunity to spread a positive message to other young ladies.
“My favorite part was getting to do my evening walk. I love showing my confidence on stage and getting to express myself to the judges and audience. This was only my second pageant, but I felt overjoyed to win. All the hard work and dedication I put in paid off,” Dyer said. “Winning isn’t what’s important, though. It’s gaining the confidence within yourself to go up onto the stage. Once you believe you can do it, you have already won.”
Dyer’s sister, McKinley, was also in the pageant and was awarded Princess Miss Buford for girls in third grade.
“Little Miss Buford was my first pageant, and I felt so happy to win,” McKinley Dyer said. “My favorite part was being in the pageant with my older sister, and both of us winning.”
In addition to overall winners, awards were also presented to those who participated in optional portions of the pageant, including interviews and prettiest hair.
Seventh grader Iris Anne Tomlinson has been participating in pageants since she was in third grade but enjoys the challenge that comes with Little Miss Buford and Miss Sweetheart of Georgia.
“My favorite moment of the pageant is crowning because there is a lot of anticipation pondering how you’ll place or what awards you might win. For the last two years in this specific pageant, I’ve been able to win best interview by showing my singing talent, which usually impresses the judges and makes me feel special,” Tomlinson said. “I won first runner-up and best interview, but I loved seeing one of my best friends win the pageant. It’s a lot of fun and an exciting event to be a part of.”
Parents of the younger girls also appreciated the opportunity to expose their daughters to positive, older influences in the community and develop lifelong friendships and skills that will transcend their experiences in pageants. Additionally, moms like Deanna O’Donnell and Kayla McBryant were proud to see their daughters grow in confidence and embrace the spotlight.
O’Donnell’s 7-year old daughter, Grayson, has participated in the pageant twice.
“My favorite moment was walking on stage. It felt fun to be dressed up,” Grayson O’Donnell said. “I like it when we get dressed up in the prettiest stuff and play together backstage.”
MyBryant’s daughter, Harleigh, competed in the 4-year old age group and was crowned Petite Miss Buford and Most Photogenic.
“This year was her first year and her favorite part was getting to be on stage in her pretty dress. I thought the experience was great. Everything was explained in advance so we knew exactly what to expect and do the day of the pageant,” McBryant said. “Harleigh is looking forward to riding in the homecoming parade and doing the pageant again next year.”
The Little Miss Buford and Miss Sweetheart of Georgia Pageant is a longstanding tradition for Buford that celebrates the individuality of each contestant and provides an affordable, natural pageant experience. As a fundraiser for the BHS Band of Wolves, it also fosters community support and empowers young women to develop poise, self-confidence and essential life skills.
Ewing encourages young ladies in the Buford community to consider Little Miss Buford and the Miss Sweetheart of Georgia pageant because of its simplicity and location.
“To any girl who has ever considered competing in a pageant, the Little Miss Buford pageant is the perfect pageant for her first-time experience. Since evening gown is the only category they get judged on for the title, it’s a simple and stress-free day,” Ewing said. “I love that we crown after each division, so it makes the day short and easy for the families. My advice to anyone considering our pageant is ‘Why not?!’ If you love getting glammed up and wearing a gorgeous dress, why not do it with your best friends and share that experience together? You never know what it may spark inside of you! Many former Little Miss Buford queens have pursued larger pageant titles and won on a state and national level. The camaraderie and confidence that is developed will never be wasted and will stay with them forever.”
FEATURED PHOTO: Delaney Elizabeth Gelsthorpe, left, was named Senior Teen Miss Sweetheart of Georgia and Abigail Yurkturan, right, was crowned Senior Teen Miss Buford during the Little Miss Buford and Miss Sweetheart of Georgia pageant on March 22, 2025, at the Performing Arts Center at Buford High School. Photo courtesy of Paige Ewing.
