A new Thomasville Rose Queen was named Saturday evening at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium during the 2017 Rose Queen Pageant. It was an exciting evening for everyone as 12 contestants vied for the coveted title, but ultimately, Sophi Sampson took home the crown. 

Sampson is the daughter of Whitney and Gene Sampson Jr. and DeNeese Stewart. Not only was she crowned as Rose Queen, but she also won the preliminary awards for essay and fitness. Sampson is a rising senior at Thomasville Scholars Academy.

First runner-up was Faythe Choate, a Thomas County Central High School rising senior and daughter of Lori Terrell and Thomas Choate. Choate was also named the preliminary evening wear winner. Second runner-up was Daria Stephens, a Thomasville Scholars Academy rising senior and daughter of Kimberly and Darryl Stephens. Third runner-up was Maddison Cook, a Thomasville Scholars Academy rising senior and daughter of Mary and Richard Cook. The court was completed with fourth runner-up Carissa Rentz, a Thomasville Scholars Academy rising senior and daughter of Amy and Shane Clark and Whit Rentz.

“Prior to the start of the pageant, each contestant submitted an essay that expressed what she loves about Thomasville and her feelings about her community,” said Bonnie Hayes, pageant coordinator. “The essay competition counted for 15 percent of the final score.”

Hayes said that the contestants began Saturday’s competition earlier in the day by participating in a personal interview with the panel of five judges. 

“This portion of the competition allows each contestant to share more about herself and her knowledge of her hometown. The interview competition accounted for 30 percent of the contestants’ final score,” said Hayes.

Judges were Jim Montgomery, principal of Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School in Macon; Anna Johnson, president of Riedel & Associates in Tallahassee, Florida; Meredith Pope, owner of Consider Me Crowned Pageant Consultants, in Atlanta; Brenda Littlefield, retired educator and executive director of the Miss Warner Robins Pageant; and Lori Hennessey, tourism project manager for the Magnolia Midlands region with the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Later that evening, the curtain opened to a packed house, with the contestants sporting their interview attire and giving the audience a short glimpse of their personalities through their welcome introductions. During an on-stage physical fitness competition, the contestants performed with 10 non-stop minutes of fitness and dance, choreographed by Hannah Harrison, of Off Broadstreet Centre for the Dance Arts.

“This portion of the competition accounted for 25 percent of the contestants’ final score and included a short solo piece for each contestant to showcase her individual fitness and dance abilities,” said Hayes. “This gives each contestant an opportunity to display her talent and athleticism and really highlighted the diversity of our participants. We saw everything ranging from splits and flips to dance moves and soccer skills. It was quite impressive.”

According to Hayes, one of the most highly anticipated portions of the pageant each year is the evening wear competition, where each contestant graces the stage in her choice of evening gown. 

“The evening wear competition, which accounts for the remaining 30 percent of the final score, is always a favorite of the judges and audience alike,” said Hayes.

The auditors, Donnie Powell and Craig Coppedge, both from Flowers Foods Inc., were tasked with tabulating the judges’ scores to identify the top five contestants.

 “Once the top five contestants were named, these young ladies advanced to the onstage interview portion, which determined the final placement for the Rose Queen and her court,” said Hayes.

Karla Heath-Sands, co-anchor for WALB’s Today in Georgia and WALB News 10’s morning news, returned again this year as the emcee. Entertainment was provided by Khabriyah Cunningham, Linsey Cone and Austin Taylor, Stringonometry, the F.I.R.M. Dance Company and Karla Heath-Sands. Thomasville’s reigning 2016 Rose Queen Allie Beadles was recognized during the evening’s festivities and had the honor of crowning the new rose queen.

“Sophi will serve as an official ambassador for the City of Thomasville during her reign, where she will promote Thomasville and Thomas County and serve as a role model for the community,” said Hayes. “The City of Thomasville would like to thank the Junior Service League, the Thomasville Rose Queen Committee, the Rose Queen Pageant Partners and the Downtown Thomasville merchant partners for making the 2017 Thomasville Rose Queen Pageant a success. This pageant is truly an undertaking of many in our community and would not be possible without their assistance and support.”

The pageant is sponsored by CNS, Thomasville’s community-owned internet, telephone and digital television service provider. The pageant will be aired on CNS Channel 6 beginning later this month.