Cultivated Pearls Foundation of Southeast Georgia, Incorporated presents its Pearls of Elegance Pageant to support the funding of local academic scholarships. Cultivated Pearls Foundation of Southeast Georgia, Incorporated is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. The mission of CPFSG is to implement programs, projects and activities that inform, educate, and strengthen communities.

In keeping with the purpose, Cultivated Pearls Foundation of Southeast Georgia, Incorporated, will partner with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Nu Rho Omega Chapter to fund five annual $1,000 scholarships to high school students attending Bradwell Institute and Liberty County High School through an application process. The pageant is one of the foundation’s fundraising activities.

The pageant features young ladies from surrounding southeast counties vying for the title of Little Miss Cultivated Pearl, Junior Miss Cultivated Pearls, and Miss Cultivated Pearls. The young ladies also will be judged on talent, academic excellence, and family and community support through local ad campaigns.

The contestants vying for the titles in three categories include:

 Little Miss Cultivated Pearls

• Britton Laix Anderson — Britton is the daughter of Frederick and Taura Anderson. She is currently in the first grade at Liberty Elementary School. She enjoys participating in gymnastics, swimming, playing the Ukulele guitar, and the Savannah Children’s Theatre camps.

• Alaina Rumiko Harper — Alaina is the daughter of Laderis and Shonta Harper. She is currently in the first grade at Matthew Arthur Elementary School in Warner Robins. She enjoys cheerleading. Alaina’s hobbies include creating art, dancing, singing, helping her mom cook, and talking.

• Ashley Nicole Varnedoe — Ashley is the daughter of Brandon and Jessica Varnedoe. She is currently in the second grade at Liberty Elementary School, where she enjoys art. She is a member of Immanuel Christian Center and enjoys participating in all the church activities and playing with her 2-year old brother.

• Naria Lee Gadsen Hall — Naria is the daughter of Tasha Hall and Andrew Gadson. She is currently in the third grade at Savannah Christian Preparatory School. She is on the cheer team at Cheer Savannah, tumbling team at Northern Lights, and dance and baton at Southern Stars Dance and Baton.

• Nerriah Eden Lewis — Nerriah is the daughter of Erica and Melvin Harper and Phillip Lewis. She is currently in the fifth grade at Frank Long Elementary School in Hinesville. She is on the softball team and sings in the Youth Choir. She also enjoys cooking with her bonus dad, spending time with her grandma Gigi, and dancing.

• Faith Mullice — Faith is the daughter of Stephen and Mary Mullice. She is currently in the fifth grade at Liberty Elementary School, where she enjoys reading and writing. She is also a football and basketball cheerleader, runs track, and gymnastics. She loves to praise dance and participate in drama ministry.

Junior Miss Cultivated Pearls

• Neriah Calmese — Neriah is the daughter of Keysia Calmese. She is currently in the sixth grade at New Hampstead Elementary. She enjoys dancing, cheer, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and African dance. She also enjoys drawing, riding bikes, traveling, and doing makeup.

• Brooklynn Holmes — Brooklynn is the daughter of Erika Blackwell. She is currently in the seventh grade and is home-schooled. She enjoys art. She is on the competitive dance team, plays the piano, and attends Midway Congregational Church.

• Jade Barnes — Jade Barnes is the daughter of Ashley Riley and Joshua Barnes. She is currently in the Eighth grade at Midway Middle School where she is on the Midway Middle Step Team. Jade loves science, math, and Georgia studies. She enjoys volunteering and giving to those in need.

Miss Cultivated Pearls

• Amaris Riley — Amaris is the daughter of Ashley Riley and the god-daughter of Wesley Davis. She is currently a sophomore at Bradwell Institute. She is an active member of the Future Career Community Leaders of America, Student to Student Ambassador, and football and basketball cheerleader.

The Pearls of Elegance Pageant is Saturday, April, 1, 2023, at the Fort Stewart Officers Club, 1:30–3:30 p.m. For tickets or more information on donations, contact Mrs. Lynn Waters at (912)9775952.

Photographs by C.E. Smith Photography.