Cairo teens compete for Thomasville Rose Queen title

Two Cairo girls are contestants in the upcoming Thomasville Rose Queen pageant. Caroline Elkins and Kate Porter are two of 12 teens who will vie for the crown when the pageant takes place on Saturday, June 15. Both girls are rising seniors at Brookwood School in Thomasville. Porter, daughter of Jami and Joe Porter of Cairo, has made the Headmaster’s List throughout high school and was a semi-finalist for the Governor’s Honors Program for dance. She is a senior Company member of South Georgia Ballet, an organization she has been a part of since she was in third grade, and has danced several lead roles including that of Clara in The Nutcracker. As a sophomore, Porter served as a representative in the Student Government Association, and as a freshman she was a volunteer at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Since sixth grade, Porter has been a member of the school’s track team. Porter is a member of Cairo First United Methodist Church, the First Presbyterian Youth Group, YoungLife and The Walk Youth Group. Porteris the granddaughter of Sonya and Dick Porter of Cairo, Ken Lindgren of Cairo and Kathy Lindgren of Willowbrook, IL. Caroline Elkins is the daughter of Paige and Bill Elkins of Cairo. Elkins is a member of National Honor Society, winner of the Upper School Service Award, participant in Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, Gold Award recipient in Civics her sophomore year, and in World History III and Nutrition and Wellness her freshman year. She was the Silver Award recipient in Algebra I her freshman year, Bronze Award recipient in U.S. History her junior year, and Honors English her freshman year. Elkins was a Merit Award recipient in Geometry and Chemistry her sophomore year, and made the Headmaster’s List. As a sophomore she was voted onto the Homecoming Court. She was elected senior class president, representative on Student Government Association her junior year, elected member of Honor Council her junior and senior years and member of Interact Club. She has volunteered with Hands on Thomas County, Girl Talk, Lemon Club and Warrior Wednesday. Elkins has played on the Varsity Soccer team since she was a freshman, run Cross Country and Track her sophomore year and been a Varsity Cheerleader her junior and senior years. She has been a member of First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville Small Groups, YoungLife and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Elkins is the granddaughter of Billy Elkins and the late Martha Ruth Elkins, and Dot Maxwell and the late Wayne Maxwell, all of Grady County. The Rose Queen pageant is sponsored by Thomasville Junior Service League, which states, “This Pageant will provide an avenue for participants to serve as role models fortheir community, gain self-awareness, self-confidence, and individual pride as well as develop a greater awareness about the community in which they live.” Pageant winners will earn scholarship money with the Rose Queen receiving $1,000, first runner up, $750, and second runner up, $500. There is also a People’s Choice Award, that allows the public to vote as often as they desire.Votes are $1 each and may be placed online at www.jslthomasville.com and in person the night of the pageant through intermission. The winner will receive scholarship money, as well, according to pageant information.