LEXINGTON — New royalty was crowned Thursday at the 23rd annual Miss Blueberry Festival Pageant.
The event began at 6:30 p.m., with emcee Kylie Gottman welcoming contestants in six categories. These categories included Baby Miss Blueberry, Wee Miss Blueberry, Little Miss Blueberry, Jr Miss Blueberry, Miss Blueberry and Miss Teen Blueberry.
Contestants ranging from 1 to 16 years old competed in age-based divisions. A preliminary competition took place last Saturday at Heartland Church, where 71 girls competed for placement in their respective group.
Participants appeared in either Sunday or summer dresses. Younger contestants focused on simple introductions like name and age, while older ones answered multiple questions, shared interesting facts about themselves and gave personal introductions.
Gottman thanked local sponsors, judges and volunteers for supporting the 2025 Miss Lexington Blueberry Festival Pageant, before beginning the crownings for the evening.
Gottman announced the winner of the fun activities basket, before stating the top five in each category. From there the top two were named, then made their way to the main stage where the winner was annouced.
The crowning began with Baby Miss Blueberry and each age division following in order. The previous year’s winner from each category was able to pass down their title to this year’s winner.
2024 Miss Teen Blueberry, Addison Schroeder, took the stage for the last time sharing words of advice and encouragement for the contestants.
“I just wanna say that there is one title but not one girl,” Schroeder said. “You all tried so hard and did so well. I am so proud of each and every one of you.”
Schroeder carried the titles 2019 and 2020 Jr. Miss Blueberry, 2023 Miss Blueberry and 2024 Miss Teen Blueberry.
Before the crowning, she reminded the Miss Teen Blueberry contestants the important title one of them would have as the winner, with five littles below them, looking up to them for guidance and to cherish every moment with them.
2025 Miss Blueberry winners and first runner-ups
Baby Miss Blueberry
- Winner: Selah Beal, 2-years-old, daughter of Logan and Haleigh Beal, Mansfield.
- First runner-up: Blakely Lewis, 1-years-old, daughter of Brandon Lewis and Hayden Williams, Mansfield.
Wee Miss Blueberry
- Winner: Carson Rose Brashers, 4, daughter of Jacob and Mariah Brashers, Lexington.
- First runner-up: Mollie Henning, 4, daughter of Greg and Jennifer Henning, Galloway.
Little Miss Blueberry
- Winner: Madilynn Christman, 5, daughter of Alex and Mikayla Christman, Lexington.
- First runner-up: Camryn Reese, 5, daughter of Jason and Audrey Reese, Plymouth.
Junior Miss Blueberry
- Winner: Naomi Boehm, 9, daughter of Aaron and Laura Boehm, Mansfield.
- First runner-up: Josie Hall, 8, daughter of Timothy and Morgan Hall, Lexington.
Miss Blueberry
- Winner: Sadie Gunter, 10, daughter of Gary and Leslie Gunter, Lexington.
- First runner-up: Saige Painley, 11, daughter of Jason and Andrea Painley, Lexington.
Miss Teen Blueberry
- Winner: Sophia Fisher, 13, daughter of Nathan and Codi Fisher, Lexington.
- First runner-up: Sydney Miley, 14, daughter of Chad and Sarah Miley, Mansfield.
(Pictures from the 2025 Miss Blueberry Pageant. Picture credit: Hannah Martin)
