Young women from across the region competed recently in the Miss Independence Day Pageant at Long County High School in Ludowici.

The pageant drew contestants as young as 3 months up to 19 years old.

In the baby miss division, Demi Wasdin took the crown and the best dress award. Runner-up was Riley Sikes, who won the prettiest smile award.

In the toddler division, Aryana Smith swept took home the dress, smile and most sponsors awards, as well as the crown.

In the tiny miss division, Trinity Boutwell won the overall junior queen title and the smile award. Amarah Hudson was first runner-up, while the dress award went to Chezney Cassell.

In the older divisions, the title of petite miss and the dress award went to Raven Fernandez. Taylor Smith was the first runner up and smile award winner.

In the pre-teen division, Amber Atkinson swept the division, taking the crown and the dress and smile awards.

Karena Espy won the junior miss division and its smile award. First runner-up was Alexis Durrence, who also won the dress award. Ali Sikes was the second runner-up.

In the miss division, Haley Riddle was named Miss Independence Day and won for prettiest dress. First runner-up was Ashley Murphy, who also won the smile award.

Macy Sikes won the title and the people’s choice, smile and dress awards in the ms. division.

The overall queen in the older division was Ashley Murphy.

The event was sponsored by KIDs-Etc.