Clay natives represent county well at NAACP-sponsored event

COOKEVILLE-A pair of Clay County natives were among the winners of last month’s NAACP Cookeville-Putnam County Branch’s 2025 Juneteenth Pageant.

LBJC Celina Headstart student Mauiee Shea Hamilton was named Tiny Miss Juneteenth and Clay County High School student Hayleigh Bailey was the Junior Miss Juneteenth 2nd Runner Up.

The pageant is held as a part of a week-long celebration honoring Black history, culture, and the resilience of freedom.  Organized each year by the local NAACP, the event highlights youth achievement and leadership in the region.

Participants showcased not only their poise and presence, but also their commitment to leadership, cultural pride, and community service.

Besides Clay, the pageant drew participants from across White, Putnam, Cumberland, and Overton counties.

This year’s Juneteenth Queen was Arianna Hamilton, who attends Western Kentucky University and whose family is from Putnam County.

As part of this year’s event, the NAACP Cookeville-Putnam County Branch awarded $7,900 in scholarships to winners in each age category.

These scholarships were made possible through generous community donations, including contributions from Dr. Danny West, who helped launch the scholarship program in 2022.  The initiative is designed to support the educational goals of these outstanding young women and to recognize their leadership, confidence, and academic promise.

“We are incredibly proud of every single girl who participated,” said Johnnie Wheeler, 1st Vice President of the NAACP Cookeville-Putnam County Branch. “What’s most inspiring is watching these young ladies return year after year—more confident, more articulate, and more empowered.

“It’s not just a pageant; it’s a journey of growth. To see their public speaking skills improve and their sense of pride deepen over time is a beautiful thing.”

For more information and additional photos, visit Facebook.com/UpperCumberlandNAACP or email [email protected].