Local Girls Shine at National Pageant in Washington, D.C.

Published 1:30 am Thursday, September 4, 2025

Two local students, Ryerlin Roland and Elizabeth Graeme, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Miss Jr. High School USA Pageant, earning top honors and national recognition.

Both girls received EMPowered Ambassador Awards for promoting mental health awareness in pageantry, as well as the President’s Community Service Award medals, a distinction presented on behalf of the President of the United States.

Elizabeth also took home the National Spokesmodel title, competing not only against junior high contestants but also high school entrants, and was crowned National Ambassador, complete with an emerald crown.

While neither captured the national crown, the pair still placed in the Top 5, with second- and third-place runner-up finishes—a remarkable achievement for their very first pageant.