September 26, 2017 - (Album) - Leetha Boren was crowned the 2017 Miss Holiday during the 5th Annual Miss Holiday Pageant held Thursday, September 21, 2017.
The judging panel was a lineup of celebrity judges including Center Council members Leigh Porterfield and Jerry Lathan, as well as Steve Waters, Regional Manager and Senior VP for Sabine State Bank.
Emcee was Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, who introduced each of the contestants as they entered the activity room of Holiday Nursing Center.
The contestants included Bonnie Berwick, Polly Chaney, Alice Weeks, Leetha Boren, Dorthy Horton, Joy Lister, Billie Permenter, and Johnnie Snider.
Judge Harbison asked a series of questions of the contestants and the judging panel considered their answers. First Ms. Berwick was asked what her favorite memory of being a child was to which she responded, "being a child," to which the audience burst out in laughter and applause.
Ms. Chaney was asked what her favorite song is and she said, "When the Roll is Called up Yonder." Ms. Weeks was asked what her favorite game was as a child and she shared that it was basketball, "yes, I was good."
Ms. Boren is Judge Harbison's mother and upon asking Boren her question Harbison joked she might learn something she didn't already know. The question of who was your first date and where did you go brought forth boisterous laughter from the audience upon hearing the answer, "I went on a date with this boy I didn't like. He carried me to, I think to a drive-in theatre in San Augustine. There wasn't much to do, so that was a vision."
Judge Harbison asked if the young man had gotten her home safely and if Boren had to slap his hands any, "No, my daddy would have killed him." The crowd erupted in laughter once again.
Ms. Lister was asked what her greatest accomplishment is and she agreed with Harbison it is her family members Chip, Keisha and their family. Judge Harbison remarked Ms. Lister was a great Head Start teacher and gave Harbison her first real job as an adult, which she said she will never forget.
Next to answer a question was Ms. Horton, who was asked who she would take with her if she were on a deserted island. She quickly responded, "my husband." Ms. Permenter was asked what her favorite dessert is and she said, "ice cream."
The final question was for Ms. Snider and the question posed to her was what would she do if she found her favorite beau with another woman?
"I would knock the you-know-what out of him," said Snider and Judge Harbison agreed she would help.
The rambunctious audience was once again overjoyed at a contestants response.
Following the Q&A portion of the pageant, the judges sequestered themselves to another location so the results could be tabulated.
During a brief intermission, "She's a Lady" by Tom Jones and "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder were played on a nearby stereo while the audience was entertained by the sure-footed dance stylings of Judge Harbison and Donival McCoy, Holiday Nursing Center staff member.
Once the panel of judges returned, the winners were announced as follows:
- Miss Holiday 2017 - Leetha Boren
- Wittiest - Leetha Boren
- Biggest Smile - Alice Weeks
- Brightest Eyes - Polly Chaney
- Friendliest - Bonnie Berwick
- Photogenic - Johnnie Snider
- Most Beautiful - Joy Lister
- Best Personality - Dorthy Horton
- Best Dressed - Billie Permenter
Boren thanked and expressed her love for everyone.
Heather Allen, Holiday Nursing Center Activity Director, thanked everyone who helped with the pageant including the judge panel and Judge Harbison.
"We especially want to thank Miss Allison, our fabulous emcee, she did a fantastic job," said Allen. "I'd like to say thank you to Casey Lout with Affinity Hospice, they were so helpful with decorations and making sure our Miss Holiday was well decked out for sure, so thank you so much. We received donations from Watson [and Sons], Tucker Florist, Hughes Florist, Center Floral."
She also informed everyone cakes provided for the event were from Sassy Red's Bakery and Brookshire Brothers.
