After rising above 20 other hopefuls, Erin Oakley was crowned Miss Trigg County 2006-2007 last Thursday in the Trigg County High School Gymnasium.

Pageant Emcee Carrie Utter introduced each contestant and read a short biography for each event. Utter praised the candidates and said that selecting the eventual victor was “not an easy decision for the judges.”

After an introduction from each contestant, and an eveningwear competition, the field of 21 contestants was reduced to 10.

During the intermission, the crowd of supporters was entertained by local band Chaotic Downfall, which played several original songs.

Utter said the pageant was presented by the Trigg County Band Boosters and introduced the evening’s three judges, Shannon P’Pool, Corinna Riddle and Melinda McGaw. Each judge has experience as a contestant or mother of a contestant in pageants outside the county.

After a short intermission, 10 semi-finalists were named. Utter said that though selection had been difficult, the competition “only got tougher” in the final rounds. After a second promenade in eveningwear, the judges narrowed the field to five young women: Chassen Lancaster, Amanda Lawrence, Lana Leneave, Oakley and Sarah Woodall.

The title of “Miss Congeniality” was given to not one, but two women this year, having been selected by their fellow contestants. Utter said that the title was given to the “most fun, easiest to be around, and nicest contestant” within the pageant. LaQuisha Boyd and Xiao Bing “Amanda” Yang shared the title and will both be given silver platters for their achievement.