By Charles Minshew
Community Reporter
ABBEVILLE— Whitney Conner, the 17 year old daughter of Ronnie and Debbie Conner, was crowned the 2007 Miss Cantaloupe Queen in the annual Cantaloupe Classic Beauty Pageant this past Friday evening.
Miss Conner, a senior at Wilcox County High School plans to pursue a career in nursing. She will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall. She also was also rewarded for having the prettiest dress.
Almost 200 people attended the pageant at the Wilcox County Arts Council Auditorium with profits going to buy trophies and flowers for the contestants. Funds also were contributed to the auditorium renovation fund.
Carol Harden opened the program with a welcome and the singing of the National Anthem. Chuck Taylor provided the invocation, and Bill Buckley served as the master of ceremonies.
Judges from across the area evaluated the competitors. Entertainment was provided by Chris Sercer from Rochelle and the 2006 Junior Miss Cantaloupe Queen Carla Penney.
Thirty-three young ladies participated in the pageant in different age categories ranging from Tiny Miss Cantaloupe to Miss Cantaloupe.
They were awarded trophies for ranking in their respective categories, and several were also recognized for being the most photogenic and for having the prettiest dresses.
Flowers and trophies were presented to the first through fourth runners-up. The queen in each age group was also awarded a crown.
In the Miss Cantaloupe competition, Tara Blankenship was named the most photogenic.
Jennifer Simmons earned the 2007 Junior Miss Cantaloupe Queen crown. She also was named the most photogenic and was recognized for having the prettiest dress.
Crowned Young Miss Cantaloupe Queen was Emily Willis. Taylor Bloodworth was named the most photogenic contestant in that group, and Meredith Culpepper had the prettiest dress.
Lori Sutton was named Little Miss Cantaloupe Queen. In that age group, Bailey Clements was named the most photogenic and Katarina Clary had the prettiest dress.
In the Tiny Miss contest, Krysten Simpkins received the crown, and Anna Harden was named the most photogenic and recognized for having the prettiest dress.
Farewells were also given by the past year’s queens, who wished much luck to the new queens.
All of the queens participated in the Ocmulgee Wild Hog Festival in Abbeville on Saturday, May 12 and will also reign over the 16th Annual Cantaloupe Classic Golf Tournament at Mallard Point Golf Club in Wilcox County later in the season.
