Miss Bessemer City High School Pageant
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Imani Rhodes crowned Miss Bessemer City High School 2023
The Miss Bessemer City High School Scholarship Pageant returned to the stage on Saturday, April 22, and junior Imani Rhodes walked away with the title and crown.
Rhodes, who wants to attend college and pursue a law degree, won a $500 scholarship. At Bessemer City High School, Rhodes is active in three sports (basketball, volleyball, and softball), won the Student of the Month award, was chosen for all-county band, and is a member of the Ambassador Club and BCHS Leadership Team.
Senior Olivia Nichols was the first runner-up, and sophomore Caila Summey was the second runner-up. The pageant also featured contestants Taylor Walker; Cheyenne Dunn, who was named Miss Congeniality; and Ashley Mull, who won the People’s Choice audience vote and received a $100 scholarship.
The six contestants participated in four areas of competition: private interview, school spirit wear, evening wear, and on-stage question. Teacher Melanie Radermacher served as the pageant director; Todd Hagans, chief communications officer for èAVƵ, was the emcee; and Jamie Tarpley Shuford, a former Miss Bessemer City High School, was the choreographer for the show, which featured special entertainment by dancers from Heart and Rhythm Studio.
Serving as escorts were students Blake Splawn, Seth Glance, Keyshawn Adams, and Randall Pettus. Featured guests were BCHS Homecoming Queen Janiya Adams, Miss Yellow Jacket Hannah Mitchell, Miss èAVƵia’s Teen Ava Socarras, and Miss èAVƵ County Erin Emiroglu, who had the opportunity to crown the winner.
The school had its last scholarship pageant about 10 years ago. It has been a goal of Dr. Sheila Wyont, principal, to revive the school’s pageant tradition, and she wanted to do it sooner, but the pandemic hindered the plan. Now, with the pageant back, she hopes interest will grow and more students will be involved next year.