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WINNERS -- Left to Right- Betsy Capen- Miss Congeniality,-Diana Arriola 2023 Sandhills Sweetheart, and Emma Acker -First Runner Up Sweetheart were crowned during the Sandhills Celebration Pageant on Thursday, August 3, 2023. at the Olton School Auditorium. (Submitted Photo)
By Ann Reagan News Writer Once again the Olton Sandhills Sweetheart Pageant held on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 7 p.m. was a delightful, entertaining production presented under the dedicated direction of this year’s director, Robyn Stevenson, assisted by Penni Chappell.
The stage was decorated in a Tropical theme featuring balloon arches, floral arrangements and, of course, pink flamingos.
Sharla Straw from Cotton Center, Chelsea Criswell from Plainview, and Emma Rector from Friona served as judges for the event.
The contestants for the title of Sandhills Sweetheart included: Betsy Capen is the daughter of Maria Capen, and was sponsored by Pizza Parlor, Hallee Kate Huguley is the daughter of Preston and Shelly Hugley and was sponsored by Fleurish Flowers and Gifts, Alyssa Rivera is the daughter of Isaac and Tessa Puras and was sponsored by Taco Loco , Amie Beelitz is the daughter of Ruth Beelitz and was sponsored by Auction Pro, Emma Ackert is the daughter of Dorothy Ackert and was sponsored by TMN Heating AC & Electric, Magaly Rios is the daughter of Glevy and Din Rios and she was sponsored by South Plains Irrigation, Sarah Chavira is the daughter of Deloras Y Vanas and Valdare Rare and she was sponsored by Valley Ag , Dnairah Vega is the daughter of Sandra Sua and she was sponsored by the Olton Pharmacy, Harlow Gorman is the daughter of Jay and Dusty Gorman and she was sponsored by Mustang Country Mini Storage, Ceralyn Wakefield is the daughter of Julie Wakefield and she was sponsored by O Town Pharmacy, Diana Arriola is the daughter of Carlos and Laura Arriola and she was sponsored by Laura’s Restaurant, and Payge Davina is the daughter of Josh and Brittany Parkey and she was sponsored by The Swanky Gypsy.
The contestants competed in casual wear, then formal wear, as well as an onstage question and answer moment.
During the brief costume change intermissions, the audience was entertained by three adorable and lively groups of youngsters.
The contestants featured in the Little Miss/Mr. Pageant Intermission Groups included: Group I: Maggie & Pate Allen & Brynlee DeBerry, Zarah Rios, Bailey, Brinn, & Baron Redwine, Yaretzi Guerrero & Brittyn Bas, Kinsley Oltivero, and Ketzali Sarinana.
Group II: Brittlyn & Blakely Huseman, Raegan Gil & Ariah Gil, Khali Sanchez, Ave’lynn Betz, Sophia Garza, and Ryann Scott and Jacy Green Group III: Jazzy Porras & Eric Porras, Keidi Chappell & Abigail Stevenson, Jocelyn Galvan, Reeslyn Riney, Raelyn Riney, Preslee Jimenez, and Olivia & Ella Rejino.
After the judges tabulated their scores, Betsy Capen was crowned, Miss Congeniality, Emma Akert was crowned Miss Sandhills Runner-up and Diana Arriola, was crowned the Sandhills Sweetheart for the 43rd Annual Sandhills Celebration 2023.
Sponsors for the event were: The Swanky Gypsy, Laura’s Restaurant, T&M Heating, AC & Electric, Auction Pro, Valley Ag, OTown Nutrition, Prescription Shop, Mustang Country Mini Storage, South Plains Irrigation, Pizza Parlor, Fleurish Flowers & Gifts, The Taco Loco, Cattleman’s Feedlot, Goen Irrigation, Happy State Bank, Lamb County Electric Co-Op, Jay Light, Quicksand, Inc. South Plains Irrigation, South Plains Waste Service, Texas Best Bean & Seed, Troy Allcorn Cattle, Wellington State Bank, West Texas Tire Works, Woods of the Plains, and Triple L Cattle.