Miss Tekoa

TEKOA -The Miss Tekoa crown was passed to Lulu Taylor during a pageant Saturday afternoon, March 16.

Before a crowd of more than 60 residents, family members and visitors, 2023 Queen Carrie Sanchez crowned Taylor at the end of a 90-minute pageant in the historic Empire Theater. It was Sanchez's final act as the 2023-24 Tekoa queen.

Roger Harnack | The Gazette

Tekoa student Lulu Taylor sings "Hey There Delilah" during the talent portion of the Miss Tekoa pageant.

"I've always wanted to be a queen," Taylor said after the coronation. "When I was younger, I would go to the parades and I always wanted to be like them.

"I want to represent Tekoa to show all the little girls that no matter what they dream of, they can achieve it. No matter how they feel, they can always presevere.

Taylor's mother, TeAire Baier, cried as Taylor, 16 accepted the crown. Taylor was all smiles on the stage.

Clare Wilkins and Denali Chase were crowned as princesses, rounding out the royal entourage for 2024.

Outgoing princess Marissa Alonso was on hand, too, to pass the royalty torch.

Themed "Beach Blast," the event featured beach-oriented music, props and even jokes from Mistress of Ceremonies Carrie Zehm.

Taylor opened the talent portion of the show, singing "Hey There Delilah,"a hit song released by the Plain White T's in 2006.

Wilkins performed next, singing and dancing to the musical monologue of "You'll Be Back," a song by Jonathan Groff and part of the original Broadway production of "Hamilton."

Roger Harnack | The Gazette

Outgoing queen Carrie Sanchez crowns Clare Wilkins princess on Saturday.

Chase rounded out the talent on the piano, with a strong performance of "Happy Together," a 1967-hit song by The Turtles.

While the three contestants took a breather, Sanchez and Alonso took the stage to thank their supporters, family and God for the opportunity to represent their hometown.

They also reflected on their one-year reign, and offered a few words of advice for the next court.

"Tekoa royalty has changed my life," Alonso said, noting her time as a princess was "such a find time in my life."

"Representing my hometown with my best friend Carrie is such a blessing," she said.

"It was truly an unforgettable reign," Sanchez said, recalling the "amazing" events, parades and people.

The girls also showed a short presentation featuring their year together.

The three contestants were back next for poise and composure judging, and an impromptu question.

The program them quickly moved onto a final farewell from Alonso and Sanchez.

"Fasten your seatbelts," Sanchez said to the new royalty. "Whenever you put on your crown and sash, you are positively representing your town."

After a brief intermission to allow judges to tally their results, the princesses were named, followed by Taylor's coronation.