GRAVETTE — Makayla Morrison, above, a senior at Gravette High School, was crowned Miss Gravette 2009, a highlight of the Gravette Day celebration. She is the daughter of Natalie and Doug Morrison.

The coronation was held Saturday evening in Kindley Park. The pageant contest was held at the GHS Performing Arts Center the preceding evening.

Third runner up was Kyndra Meeker; second runner up, Stormi Pierce; and first runner up, MacKenzie Wallace.

The hour-long pageant, under the direction of Deree Mitchell, included entertainment numbers featuring dance, vocals and introduction of special guest Debra Velez, the first Miss Gravette ( Jaycee) crowned in 1970.

Contestants were Kiersten Johnson, Stormi Pierce, Kristina Burns, MacKenzie Wallace, Kyndra Meeker, Victoria House and Makayla Morrison.

Voted Miss Congeniality was MacKenzie Wallace; Audience Favorite, Victoria House; Interview Winner, Makayla Morrison; Evening Wear, MacKenzie Wallace; and School Color Costume, Stormi Pierce.

Tarole Harris was emcee for the pageant and for the Saturday evening ceremony. Providing entertainment were Haley Rolsma, Miss Arkansas Valley; AJ Claborn, Princess Miss Heart of the Ozarks; Hanna West, Aubree Garrett, Tarole Harris and Jordan Singleton, Miss Gravette 2008, who made her final appearance at the coronation ceremony.

Additional photos, including winners of various youth pageants, are published on page 12 in this issue of The News Herald.

News, Pages 1 on 08/12/2009