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Ayden Collard Festival

Pageant kicks off the fun

The Daily Reflector

Friday, September 11, 2009

Amid a few raindrops, the Ayden Collard Festival midway opened Thursday with rides and vendors along West Avenue. The event kicks into high gear Saturday with an 11 a.m. parade and a 1:15 p.m. collard eating contest.

In addition, the Miss Ayden Scholarship Pageant was held at the Ayden Arts and Recreation Community Center. Nikki Starnes was crowned the 2010 Miss Ayden Scholarship Pageant queen on Thursday night.

Jessica Dennis was the first runner-up, and Brittany Davis was second runner-up.

The festival continues through Sunday with entertainment, contests, arts and crafts and other attractions. Visit the Web site for more information at www.aydencollardfestival.com

Starnes earned a $1,000 scholarship, Dennis, $75 and Davis, $50. Other award given during the event include:

The Floyd G. Robinson Photogenic Award: Brittany Davis

The photos were judged by Angie Meredith Photography of Charlotte NC. The photographer was looking for the natural appeal of the subject and the personality expressed. The recipient of this award receives the poster board picture displayed in the front lobby and a silver photo book donated by Floyd G. Robinson’s Jewelers.

East Carolina Challenge Course Sportsmanship Award: Nikki Starnes and Marissa Cochran $25 each.

Participants spend a day together at the ECU challenge course. Program objectives are to have fun, develop teamwork skills and leadership styles, develop a base of trust in one another, develop an appreciation for individual leadership styles and talents, and to reinforce communication, support, and feedback skills. Leaders on the course chose one delegate representative of good sportsmanship. This year’s program produced a tie.

Academic Excellence Award: Jessica Dennis, $50

The Academic Excellence Award goes to a delegate who demonstrates high academic standards. Work, community involvement and extracurricular activities are all factored in to an overall GPA.

Ayden Chamber of Commerce Volunteer/Community Service Award: Katheryn Elizabeth Frazier, $50.

This awards is given by the Chamber of Commerce to a delegate in the Miss Ayden Scholarship Program who has demonstrated on a consistent basis, a giving spirit of their time and energy as reflected on their application and throughout the pageant practice.

Miss Congeniality Award: Caylene Tripp, $50.

A delegate who is generally caring and gets along with others. She is agreeable and has a positive attitude. This lady is most helpful to others and does so with a sweet disposition. She is outgoing and friendly, and is considerate and respectful of others. She makes every attempt to fulfill obligations and support their sister delegates. Most importantly, this is voted on by her sister delegates.

Betina Loftin-Dawson Spirit Award: Susan Newell, $50.

An example of how determination to succeed, a positive attitude, belief in yourself, love for others and putting others first can give you a different perspective on your own life. Betina was an over comer, a role model and became a blessing to all the lives she touched. This award is voted on by the delegates.