Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Amelia Kenlee Shook is crowned by 2024 Rylee Kitchens at the 2025 Georgia Mountain Fair Pageant on Saturday.
By Deby Jo Ferguson
Staff Writer
Amelia Kenlee Shook was crowned queen by Rylee Kitchens, 2024 Pageant Queen at the 2025 Georgia Mountain Fair Pageant on Saturday, June 14 after competing against seven other contestants.
Shook is 23 years old from Hiawassee, Ga. and graduated from Towns County High School in 2020. She attended the University of North Georgia with plans to obtain a specialty certification in geriatric care and pursue a career in travel nursing. Shook’s scholastic honors are the Dean’s list and Mattie Moon scholarship recipient for 2025.
Other contestants included:
• Deanna Faye Crowe, 18, named first runner up at the pageant is a 2024 graduate of Powell County High School. She attends Young Harris College to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in performance theater. Crowe hopes to one day perform on Broadway.
• Maddie Halligan, 16, of Cleveland, Ga., was named second runner up at the pageant and also received an award for “Talent.” She will graduate White County High School in 2026 and has plans of becoming a physical therapist.
• Carly Jean Barnett, 17, of Blairsville, Ga., was named Miss Congeniality at the competition and is a recent graduate of Union County High School. Her plans are to attend North Georgia Technical College to obtain a degree in cosmetology.
• Kayla Ann Pickelsimer, 18, of Blairsville, is a 2025 Union County High School graduate. She plans to obtain an Associate of Business Management degree with specialization in human resources.
• Breeze Hilton, 18, of Murphy, N.C. is a 2025 graduate of The Bridge Academy and plans to attend Southwestern to obtain a degree in nursing.
• Ellie Cook, 20, of Blairsville, graduated from Fannin County High School in 2023 and is attending North Georgia Technical College to obtain an associate degree in nursing.
• Lilly Cannon, 19, of Hiawassee, is a recent graduate of Towns County High School and plans to attend Tri-County Community College to obtain a degree in nursing.
Judging the event were Jeff King, Kaylyn Gragg and Jeanne Winter.
Auditors included Lisa Baxter and Miranda Burnette.
Adaline Turpin was 2025 America’s Ideal Miss Southern States Junior Princess who also entertained the audience with her testimony and song.
Ansley Roper, USA ambassador SLICC2 ambassador national queen and the USA ambassador Southern States was a special guest.