This weekend is the 45th annual Miss Fulton County pageant, and 5 beautiful ladies will be competing for a crown. All winners will continue on and compete at the 2015 Miss New York and Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen competitions.
The Miss Fulton County Pageant is one of the longest consecutive running pageants in the state, with an extensive legacy and a handful of strong titleholders making a splash at Miss New York each year. It is also one of the largest providers of scholarships in the local circuit, awarding $5,000 to the winner. The Miss Fulton County title is a closed title, with hopes of encouraging a stronger sense of pride towards their titleholder in the community. Each year the community rallies behind the reigning Miss Fulton County at events, and offers a generous scholarship to the winner, runners up, and all contestants. Each contestant even receives her own hostess in the dressing room!
This year, the Miss Fulton County Org wanted to switch things up. Unlike years in the past when the Outstanding Teen title was selected by the Board of Directors through an essay contest, this year the plan was to hold an Outstanding Teen pageant held simultaneously with the Miss competition. Moreover, two Outstanding Teen titles would be crowned. In addition to the Miss Futon County’s Outstanding Teen title, where only teens residing in Fulton County are eligible, a Miss Lake Country’s Outstanding Teen title would be awarded to a teen who resides in either Fulton or Montgomery County. The hope is that a strong Outstanding Teen program will encourage the next generation to become involved with the Miss New York and Miss America Organizations. Unfortunately, interest is at a lull across the state and there may not be the second title.
Miss Fulton County 2015, Baylee Simpson
Baylee Simpson split her time as Miss Fulton County both serving Fulton County at home, and while at school at SUNY Brockport. She dedicated her time promoting the CREATE Initiative, which inspires arts in education. Baylee had competed at Miss Fulton County twice before finally taking home the crown.
She attended many events with Miss Fulton County’s 2015 Outstanding Teen, as well as her sister queens Katelynn Smith (Miss Central NY 2015, and former Miss Fulton County), Lauren Crandall (Miss Upstate NY 2015), and Cassie Paradise (Miss Southern Tier 2015). Many of her events were with youth, but she even had the special opportunity to meet Sawyer Fredericks, Montgomery County native and winner of The Voice.
Contestants:
Interestingly enough, this year there are no former titleholders (except for Morgan, former Outstanding Teen). There is an interesting balance of veteran contestants, repeat contestants, and first timers that are sure to keep the show interesting. Talent will be a good alternation of vocalists and dancers, which is also great to keep the audience engaged.
1. Lexi Swatt
- Competed in Miss Fulton County 2014
- Miss Fulton County’s Outstanding Teen 2011
- 1st Runner Up at Miss Empire Rose 2015
3. Pricilla Smout
- Contestant at Miss Fulton County 2015
4. Morgan Romano
- Miss Fulton County’s Outstanding Teen 2015
- Miss Fulton County’s Outstanding Teen 2014, 1st Runner Up
5. Lauren Simonds
Predictions
With only 5 girls its easy to say who we think will be the Top 2. Heather has the most experience in Miss, and Morgan has held a title twice before so “obviously” it’s between them. Just need to decide if Morgan has moved up to Miss seamlessly or not, or if Heather’s new platform will solidify her interview and secure the crown.
Unfortunately, that’s not how this works. It is far from unheard of when a first timer takes the crown. Both Lexi and Priscilla have competed in the Fulton County pageant before, learned from their mistakes, and will be back stronger than ever.
So who will take the crown? I think the Top 3 will be between Heather, Morgan, and Lexi. But who knows! We’ll find out on Saturday who will join the historic Miss Fulton County sisterhood.
The PageantFile 