Miss NEA, River Delta crowns handed out

After a night of beauty and entertainment, four new titleholders were crowned Saturday during the first "dual pageant" held in Blytheville.

More than $25,000 in scholarships and prizes were given to the winners.

Pageant Association members were also recognized for their work with the Northeast Arkansas Pageant Association. Receiving 10-year certificates were Diane Jenkins and C.J. Wilson. Tim Stone received a 21-year plaque for his volunteer service, and George Hale and Marrietta Jerome received 30-year plaques.

Claudia Raffo of Jonesboro was crowned Miss Northeast Arkansas for 2015, while Emma Jumper of Paragould claimed the title of Miss River Delta for 2015.

The "Dreamer Award" went to Kaitlyn Hale of Lake City. Raffo won both the Ashleigh Green Talent Award and the Chrisna George Swimsuit Award.

The Teen Court includes First Alternate Mercedes Bell of Blytheville, NEA Outstanding Teen 2014 Lacey Moore of Pocahontas, NEA Outstanding Teen 2015 Hannah Oliver of Stuttgart, River Delta Outstanding Teen 2015 Ellie Stafford of Jonesboro, 2014 River Delta Outstanding Teen Robin Galloway of Stuttgart and Second Alternate Kennedy Hill of Jonesboro.

In the teen pageants, Hannah Oliver of Stuttgart was named NEA Outstanding Teen 2015, and Ellie Stafford of Jonesboro was named River Delta Outstanding Teen 2015.

Oliver won the Ashley Roacho Active Wear Award, Oliver and Stafford tied for the Allison Waldrip Talent Award, Madeline Adams of Jonesboro won the "Dreamer Award," and Marybeth Byrd was named Miss Congeniality.

Additionally, four Mississippi County residents received tuition scholarships from Arkansas Northeastern College. They were India Kuykendall of Gosnell, Briana Dominguez of Blytheville, Marybeth Byrd of Armorel and Mercedes Bell of Blytheville.

Four Mississippi County residents received tuition scholarships from Arkansas Northeastern College. Pictured are (from left) Miss River Delta and Miss NEA ANC winners India Kuykendall of Gosnell and Briana Dominguez of Blytheville, and Teen ANC winners Marybeth Byrd of Armorel and Mercedes Bell of Blytheville.