Six to compete in Miss Cotton Carnival

SIKESTON — Six area high school students will vie for the Miss Cotton Carnival crown at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 during the 80th Annual America Legion Cotton Carnival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds.

Miss Cotton Carnival is open to 10th and 11th grade Sikeston High School students and ninth through 12th grade students from area high schools.

Jaidyn Gonzalez, 15-year-old daughter of Leo and Heather Gonzalez, is a sophomore at Sikeston High School. She is active in FFA, and her favorite subject is math. After high school, she plans to attend college to become an ultrasound technician.

The 15-year-old daughter of Ginny Ray and Corey Lowe, Alexis Lowe is a sophomore at Thomas W. Kelly High School. She enjoys racing with her dad, shopping with her mom, cheering on her sister playing softball and hanging out with friends. History is her favorite subject. After high school, she plans to attend technical school.

Gelaiya McCray is the 15-year-old daughter of George and Teah McCray. A sophomore at Sikeston High School, she is a cheerleader and soccer player. She is a member of Future Teachers of America, Key Club, A+ Tutoring, Inspiring Presenters and Sikeston Red Peppers. She enjoys cooking Sunday dinners with her mom and lists English and science as her favorite subjects. She plans to attend Florida A&M University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Jaycee McMillian, 17-year-old daughter of Tara and Ashley McMillian, is a senior at Park Hills Central High School. She participates in softball, speech and debate, theater, dance, many clubs and National Honor Society. Her hobbies include pageants, and she is currently the Miss Missouri Universal Teen. History is her favorite subject, and she plans to attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree in biological science.

The 16-year-old daughter of Glenn and Tonya Pobst, Khielynn-Claire Pobst is a junior at Sikeston High School. She is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity volleyball and Red Peppers. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, spending time with her family, hanging out with her youth group and loves FUGE camp. Government is her favorite subject in school. She plans to attend college for interior design and work for Lifeway FUGE camps.

Katie Staples, 16-year-old daughter of Erin Staples, is a junior at Portageville High School. She is a member of her school’s FFA and the Dawg Pound pep club. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, kayaking and side-by-side riding. Anatomy and physiology are her favorite subjects in school. After high school, she plans to go to college and get a degree in radiology or ag communication.

Check Thursday’s Standard Democrat to view the 19 candidates of this year’s Miss Sikeston contest which will be at 8 p.m. Saturday.