Samantha Edwards (second from left) takes the stage as the newly crowned Miss Navajo County 2016 along with Sophie Owen as Miss Navajo County’s Outstanding Teen 2016 (second from right). Taking part in the evening were Miss Arizona Madi Esteves (left) and Miss Arizona’s Outstanding Teen Jessi Gradillas (right).
Saturday evening many beautiful and talented young ladies took part in the Miss Navajo County Pageant held in Joseph City. After a tough competition, the judges selected Samantha Edwards of Holbrook as Miss Navajo County 2016 and Sophie Owens of Taylor as Miss Navajo County’s Outstanding Teen 2016.
Both young women displayed poise, talent and intellect as they went before the judges.
Samantha performed a vocal number as her talent, and will be promoting her platform Project Empowerment: Domestic Violence Intervention in the coming year as she represents Navajo County throughout the state. She is the daughter of Rob and Jennifer Edwards.
Sophie performed a jazz dance routine as her talent, and will be promoting her platform of Body Positive: Encouraging Self-Esteem Through Wellness in the coming year in her role in representing Navajo County. She is the daughter of James and Cindy Owen.
In addition to their crowns, Samantha was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, a one-year tuition waiver to Northland Pioneer College valued at $2,400 and was the first recipient of the Carriage House, Resident Choice, Talent Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.
Sophie was awarded a $300 scholarship, plus a $1,000 NPC tuition waiver.
Other scholarship and title winners in the Miss Navajo County competition included first runner-up Ashley Bitselley, who was awarded a $500 scholarship and a Quality of Life Scholarship in the amount of $300; Alexandrea Guffey, non-finalist Interview Award; and Mercedes Tuckfield, non-finalist Talent Award.
Other scholarship and title winners in the Miss Navajo County Outstanding Teen competition included runner-up Isabella Ordonez, who received a $100 scholarship; Erynn Williams, a $200 Quality of Life Scholarship and non-finalist Interview Award; and Caitlin Rundquist, non-finalist Talent Award.
