Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1481514
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2022 UCW 29 ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 you can just be yourself," she said of compet- ing in pageants. "You don't have to pretend to be like anyone else." Junior Miss — McKala Sallie Mac Williams Middle School eighth-grader McKala Sallie took home the title of Junior Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. McKala is a seasoned performer, having par- ticipated in pageants since she was six months old. McKala has earned several titles, includ- ing Carolinas' Miss Unity for Miss Celebra- tions USA and Junior Miss Eastover. In addition to her commitment to pageant- ry, McKala also runs track for Mac Williams Middle School. When she graduates, she'd like to pursue a career as a sports announcer for ESPN college football or give back all the knowledge she's gained as a pageant coach. McKala admits it can be challenging to overcome her nerves but loves competing in pageants for the skills they teach and the op- portunity they offer to talk about her passions. "I love pageants because they give me a chance to learn life lessons, like interviews and public speaking," McKala shared with Up & Coming Weekly. "ey also give me the op- portunity to tell everyone about my platform, Off-Road OutReach, and why there shouldn't be homeless Veterans." Teen Miss — Olivia Gray Oliva Gray is this year's Teen Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Pageant winner. A high school senior at Village Christian Acad- emy, this is Olivia's first foray into the pageant world. Olivia is currently a part of the High School Connections Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College and is pursuing a certifi- cate in Criminal Justice. Outside of her aca- demic successes, Olivia is her school's varsity cheer captain, yearbook editor, is involved in several clubs, and speaks two languages. ough she's new to pageantry, Olivia is no stranger to competition. She has danced since age two, danced competitively since age five, and dreams of being a Dallas Cowboy Cheer- leader. After obtaining her Criminal Justice cer- tificate and graduating in May of 2023, Olivia plans to major in pre-law or forensics with a minor in Spanish with the long-term goal of becoming a lawyer. Although this is Olivia's first pageant, she has enjoyed her experience thus far and looks forward to competing in the future. "Becoming Miss Teen Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has been one of my biggest accom- plishments to date," she shared. "I have very high expectations for myself, and it pushes me to work hard. Accomplishing the goals I set for myself is very rewarding and worth the chal- lenge in the end." Miss Fayetteville — Janiya Pipkin e winner of 2022's Miss Fayetteville Dog- wood Festival crown is 21-year-old Methodist University senior Janiya Pipkin. Initially hesitant, the criminal justice major and licensed cosmetologist entered this year's competition after a chance encounter with Miss North Carolina and at her mother's urg- ing. "I've done pageants before but stopped when I was seven or eight," she confessed. Honestly, my mom encouraged me to enter. I've always dreamed of competing for the Miss America or Miss USA title and felt this would be a great place to start." A pastor's daughter, Janiya, is extremely involved in her church and credits her confi- dence and success to her faith in God. When not working as a cosmetologist, Janiya serves her church as a youth ministry leader and praise and worship leader. In addition to pursuing her criminal justice undergraduate degree, Janiya also cheered full-time for the Methodist University Mon- archs, finishing up her tenure this past Febru- ary. After graduation, she intends to enter law school with the ultimate goal of becoming a judge. ough she's been out of the pageant game for a while, Janiya says the main takeaway is the confidence competing in pageants gives her. "e thing I love about competing is the boost of confidence it gives you," Janiya said. "For any pageant, whether you win or lose, you're putting yourself out there to be judged, and it's important to know that no matter what happens, you're still a winner. It takes a lot of courage, strength and confidence to put your- self out there." Another aspect of pageantry Janiya enjoys is the camaraderie and the opportunity to act as a role model for young women on a similar path. "We all had nerves and jitters, but we came together in support of one another — no mat- ter who won. One thing I would tell the young women behind me is this: 'you can do it.' I tell them to remember the process, the excitement they feel backstage, and not to let anyone take those feelings of joy away. No matter what, you have to keep telling yourself you can do it." Betty Leggett Little Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival McKala Sallie Junior Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Emma Luchetta Young Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Olivia Gray Teen Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Janiya Pipkin Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival