Dixon crowned 2018 Thomasville Rose Queen
The tradition continues as a new Thomasville Rose Queen was crowned Friday evening at the Thomasville Rose Queen Pageant, hosted by the Junior Service League of Thomasville. It was an evening for everyone as eight contestants competed for the title of 2018 Thomasville Rose Queen. Mary Cathryn Dixon, daughter of Suzanne and Charles Dixon, took home the Rose Queen crown. Not only was she crowned as Rose Queen, but she also won the preliminary awards for fitness and evening gown. Dixon is a senior at Brookwood School.
First runner-up was Ellie Harrer, a Brookwood School senior and daughter of Maureen Harrer and Dr. William Harrer III; second runner-up was Adrienne Carson, a Thomas County Central High School senior and daughter of Tina and Bill Carson. The essay preliminary winner was Keisha Patel, a senior at Thomasville Scholars Academy. This year’s People’s Choice Award winner was Caroline Anthony, a senior at Thomasville Scholars Academy and daughter of Daisy and Tony Anthony.
The curtain opened to the contestants wearing interview attire, with a short introduction that gave the audience a glimpse of their personalities. All eight contestants were applauded by a packed house of supporters and three judges, all eagerly awaiting the evening. Prior to the start of the pageant, each contestant .submitted an essay that expressed what they love about Thomasville and their feelings about their community. The essay competition counted for 15 percent of their final score.
The panel of three judges met with the contestants earlier in the day and had the opportunity to express more of what they know about their hometown and answer questions pertaining to themselves in the individual interview competition which accounted for 30 percent of their score. The contestants were asked questions about their essays, how they would represent Thomasville if selected as queen and much more.
During on-stage physical fitness competition, the contestants performed eight non-stop minutes of fitness and dance, choreographed by Hannah Harrison of Off Broadstreet Center for the Dance Arts. The number, which accounted for 25 percent of their score, included a short solo piece where each contestant showcased their individual physical or dance abilities, ranging from splits and flips to dance moves and cross-fit skills.
During the evening gowncompetition, each contestant graced the stage in their elegant evening gowns. Always a favorite of thejudges and audience, this competition accounts for the remaining 30 percent of each contestant’s score. The 2018 Rose Queen Pageant auditors, DonniePowell and Natalie Simpson from Flowers Foods Inc. were tasked with tabulating the judges’ scores toidentify the top three contestants who will then proceed to the onstageinterview portion, which determines the Rose Queen and her court.
Once each of the top three finalists had been interviewed, the tabulations were completed and then preliminary winners and Rose Queen and court were announced. An addition to this year’s pageant was the People’s Choice Award, completely controlled by the audience.
For a third year, the audience welcomed Karla Heath-Sands, co-anchor for WALB, as pageant host. During the evening through the transitions of each number for the contestants, the audience enjoyed local youth talent in singing and dance provided by Thomasville Music & Drama Troupe and South Georgia Ballet. Thomasville’s reigning 2017 Rose Queen, Sophi Sampson, gave a farewell speech just prior to placing the crown on the head of the 2018 Rose Queen, along with two beautifully choreographed dances, a duet and quartet.
Judges for the event were Art Myers, co-anchor for WCTV, Michelle Meadows, co-director of the Miss Georgia South Pageant, and Lori Hennesy, tourism project manager for the Magnolia Midlands region with the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Dixon will serve as an official ambassador for the City of Thomasville, promoting Thomasville and Thomas County as a role model for the community and serve with the Junior Service League of Thomasville in numerous children’s programs, and community programs.
The pageant is sponsored by CNS and the City of Thomasville.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.