PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TOGETHER … Winners and runners-up gather following the Pride of Montpelier Pageant at Montpelier High School. Pictured are Front: 2026 Little Miss Montpelier Emalee Gifford, 2026 Junior Miss Montpelier Meredith Cluckey, Junior Miss Second Runner-up Rhylee Villanueva, Little Miss Second Runner-up Blakely Jordan, Little Miss First Runner-up Evelynne Cluckey. Back: Miss First Runner-up Lexa Wright, 2026 Miss Montpelier Peighton Black, 2026 Teen Miss Montpelier Tessa Fleurkens, Junior Miss First Runner-up Braelyn Harter, and Teen Miss First Runner-up Madelyn Whitaker. VIEW PHOTOS OF THIS PAGEANT FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
ON THE SPOT … Sydney Strup answers an onstage question as part of the competition at the Pride of Montpelier Pageant.
MAKING HER CASE … Lexa Wright responds to an onstage question at the Pride of Montpelier Pageant.
RUNNER-UP … Evelynne Cluckey reacts to being named first runner-up in the Little Miss category at Saturday’s pageant.
THE 2026 QUEENS … Front: 2026 Junior Miss Montpelier Meredith Cluckey, 2026 Little Miss Montpelier Emalee Gifford. Back: 2026 Miss Montpelier Peighton Black and 2026 Teen Miss Montpelier Tessa Fleurkens.
By: Rebekah Dell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Pride of Montpelier Pageant returned to the Montpelier High School Auditeria on Saturday, June 20, at 5 p.m. bringing together contestants, families, and friends for an evening celebrating local youth under the theme “Happy Birthday America.”
Directed by Jill Clinger, Alexis Dulle, Rachel Entenman and Kaley Thorp, the annual pageant featured 24 contestants competing across four age divisions: Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss and Miss. Dawn Sheline served as emcee for the event.
Contestants were evaluated in references, interview, summer wear, evening wear, and an onstage question. Additional awards included photogenic and congeniality honors, while Miss contestants also competed in a talent competition.
In the Little Miss division, which featured 12 contestants, Emalee Gifford, a third-grade student, was crowned Little Miss Montpelier. Gifford also earned the Best Interview award. Evelynne Cluckey, a second-grade student, was named first runner-up, while third-grade student Blakely Jordan received second runner-up honors.
Maligha Grubb, a first-grade student, was awarded Little Miss Photogenic and was also selected by her fellow contestants as Little Miss Congeniality.
Six contestants competed in the Junior Miss division. Meredith Cluckey, a fifth-grade student, earned the Junior Miss Montpelier title while also receiving Best Interview and was voted Junior Miss Congeniality. Braelyn Harter, a sixth-grade student, was named first runner-up, while Rhylee Villanueva received second runner-up and Junior Miss Photogenic honors.
The Teen Miss division featured three contestants. Tessa Fleurkens, a seventh-grade student, captured the Teen Miss crown and was also named Teen Miss Photogenic as well as Teen Miss Congeniality. Madelyn Whitaker, also a seventh-grade student, earned first runner-up honors and received the Best Interview award.
Three contestants competed for the Miss title. Peighton Black, a senior, was crowned Miss Montpelier. Black also earned Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and first place in the talent competition for her performance of “Reflection” from Disney’s Mulan.
Lexa Wright was named first runner-up, received the Best Interview award and placed second in the talent competition with her performance of “Part of Your World” from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Precious Stoner earned third place in the talent competition for her rendition of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” Stoner was also recognized for selling the most 50/50 raffle tickets.
According to organizers, the pageant’s 50/50 raffle generated a total of $7,730.
The pageant’s People’s Choice Award was presented to Little Miss contestant Sydney Strup.
As the evening came to a close, contestants left the stage with new memories, friendships and accomplishments, continuing a tradition that celebrates the talents and achievements of Montpelier’s youth.
