The 75th Annual Miss Buford Pageant was held on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Buford High School Performing Arts Center. Senior Emilee Akins was crowned Miss Buford 2022.
Other titles awarded were Miss Junior, Mara Eva Cline; Miss Sophomore, Josephine Ibarra; and Miss Freshman, Tanner Moon. First Runner-Up to Miss Buford was Madeline Sharp. The award for Miss Congeniality was presented to Tanner Moon, Miss Runway to Madeline Sharp and Miss Photogenic to Josephine Ibarra.
“I was inspired to participate in the Miss Buford pageant by my older sister, Katelynn,” said first-time participant Tanner Moon. “I remember watching her win the crown and use her title to serve others, so I wanted to be just like her.”
Tanner is no stranger to Miss Buford, having been involved with the Future Miss Buford “little sister” program when she was in elementary school and her sister competed and won the title of Miss Buford 2018.
“I am so excited to be Miss Freshman Buford because I can be a positive role model for younger kids and serve my community,” Taylor added.
The annual, historic fundraiser is sponsored by the Buford High School Choral Music Department and produced by BHS choral director Mr. Taylor Greer. Ten girls participated in three phases of competition including interview, casual wear and formal wear. First time emcees Mrs. Merideth Drake (Buford Middle School chorus teacher) and Mr. Greg Hunter (BHS alumnus and first-year BHS theatre teacher) entertained the audience during the hour-and-a-half pageant, which included the ever-popular Mr. Buford entertainment segment.
Carter Hales, a junior, was awarded the title of Mr. Buford.
“He sported a chainsaw — with the chain removed, of course,” Greer said, “as a representation of his interest in forestry and construction.”
The participants in Mr. Buford served as escorts for the Miss Buford contestants during the elegant evening wear competition, then performed their own humorous brand of onstage modeling. The winner of the Mr. Buford title was selected through audience donations.
The Miss Buford winners were selected by a panel of three pageant judges, using criteria and a scoring system similar to the standards of the traditional Miss America Organization. The Miss Buford winners will have an opportunity to represent their community through various service projects throughout the year including the upcoming BHS Homecoming Parade.
“I have participated in Miss Buford all four years, and it has introduced me to an amazing group of girls and allowed me to make unforgettable memories with some of my best friends,” said the newly crowned Miss Buford 2022, Emilee Akins. “I feel that my experience competing has allowed me to gain confidence and given me an opportunity to serve others, as well as allowed me to be true to myself.”
For more information, visit missbuford.com.
FEATURED PHOTO: Winners in the 75th annual Miss Buford Pageant, which was held Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at the Buford High School Performing Arts Center, pose for a photo. From left to right are Miss Junior Mara Eva Cline, Miss Buford Emilee Akins, Miss Sophomore Josephine Ibarra and Miss Freshman Tanner Moon. Photo by Rebecca Moon
