June 10, 2025 (More Photos) - The Miss Shelby County Pageant was held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the John D Windham Civic Center in Center, Texas with 20 plus contestants vying for the opportunity to be queen in their age group. Under the direction of Sandrel Slaughter, the Miss Shelby County Pageant honored the remarkable pageant legacy of Mrs. Tonya Simmons Bailey.
Denetra McDaniel, pageant committee member and emcee, gave acknowledgement to the name sake of the pageant, "Today's pageant was held in memory of Mrs. Tonya Simmons Bailey. We have a special award as well in her honor and at this time I would like to recognize last year's winner of the Tonya Tiara Award, Miss Ty'ReUnnia Dock. Tonya Tiara and the Miss Shelby County Pageant 2025 honors the pageant legacy of Mrs. Tonya Simmons Bailey. Tonya started competing in pageants when she was a toddler. The first time she won was on a television show when she was 4 years old. Tonya and her mother, Lila, were flown to New York City to talk about kids and pageants on the Art Linkletter Show. Tonya was always a natural when it came to being the center of attention which lead to modeling for several department stores including Macys. When she was a high school senior, she decided that Shelby County needed something more for young girls and she started the first Miss Shelby County Pageant." Tonya passed away on July 1, 2018 from cancer but she is loved and remembered for what she shared with the community.
The pageant judges picked the candidate that they felt embodied the qualities of the Tonya Bailey Tiara award who was announced to be Sanihay Stevens.
Tonya's Tiara Award - Sanihay Stevens
A special award was presented to Ashton Watts, the 2024 Miss Shelby County Queen, by Denetra McDaniel, "Most of you don't know Ashton but she truly has a heart of gold and a love for others. And she has been such a wonderful example for these young ladies in this pageant on today. So, at this time I would like to present Miss Ashton Watts with a token of appreciation for outstanding community service and contribution to the pageant."
Community Service Award - Ashton Watts, 2024 Miss Shelby County Queen
Heartfelt thanks and appreciation was then given to Sandrel Slaughter Jackson, the pageant director. Her unwavering devotion, hours of hard work and commitment to the girls in the pageant has made the pageant a success and given them an opportunity to shine.
Awards were presented as follows:
Miss Shelby County Pageant Covergirl - Serenity Cotton
Miss Shelby County Pageant Baby Miss
Queen - Azariah Barnes
1st Runner Up - Azariah Barnes
Interview - Azariah Barnes
Photogenic - Azariah Barnes
Sports Wear - Azariah Barnes
Evening Wear - Azariah Barnes
Miss Shelby County Pageant Tiny Miss
Queen - Layla Gaddis
1st Runner Up - Memphis Sanders
Photogenic - Layla Gaddis
Sports Wear - Layla Gaddis
Evening Wear - Memphis Sanders
Princess: Willow Beasley, Gianna Hill, Aiyana Reed
Miss Shelby County Pageant Petite Miss
Queen - Jomari Larraga
1st Runner Up - Au'Breyah Lacy
Photogenic - Jomari Larraga
Sports Wear - Jomari Larraga
Evening Wear - Jomari Larraga
Princess: Jaydah Bean, Stormie Freeman, Jacelyn Moore
Miss Shelby County Pageant Junior Miss
Queen - Kensley King
1st Runner Up - Ty'Rihana Rushing
Photogenic - Kensley King
Sports Wear - Ty'Rihana Rushing
Evening Wear - Ty'Rihana Rushing
Princess: Chalicesia Brock
Miss Shelby County Pageant Pre-Teen Miss
Queen - Kenli Simon
1st Runner Up - Essence Glenn
Interview - Kenli Simon
Photogenic - Serenity Cotton
Sports Wear - Kenli Simon
Evening Wear - Jayla Barkins
Princess: Jayla Barkins, Janiah Black, Serenity Cotton
Miss Shelby County Pageant Teen Miss
Queen - Jaquita Coleman
Interview - Jaquita Coleman
Photogenic - Jaquita Coleman
Sports Wear - Jaquita Coleman
Evening Wear - Jaquita Coleman
Miss Shelby County Pageant Miss
Queen - Jardyn Belrose
1st Runner Up - Sanihay Stevens
Interview - Jardyn Belrose
Photogenic - Jardyn Belrose
Sports Wear - Jardyn Belrose
Evening Wear - Jardyn Belrose
The 2026 Miss Shelby County Pageant will be held on May 9, 2026.
