Six young women are ‘off to great places’ as they begin the coming year fulfilling a longstanding tradition along the Eastern Shore as members of the 2016 Dogwood Trail Court. At the 56^th Annual Dogwood Trail Pageant and Scholarship Program Jan. 16, energetic dancing, colorful costumes and skits full of American ingenuity and creativity marked this year’s performance portion of the pageant with the theme, all things “American Made.”  

Forty-six participants were scored in the categories of essay, interview, creative introduction, presence and composure and 12 finalist questions. The essay category, worth 10 percent of the composite score, is new this year and was judged prior to the pageant by a three-judge panel.  The six court members will join alumni who have gone on to become teachers, doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, scientists, university librarians and faculty, broadcast journalists, accountants, small business owners and a former US Surgeon General.

“Participants in this year’s program were some of the brightest, most talented and energetic young women that I have worked with in my 22-year history as Executive Director,” JoAnn Broadus, Executive Director of the pageant, said.  “I am proud of the accomplishments of all 46 young women.” 

The six young women honored with the opportunity to represent the Eastern Shore and serve a one-year term as goodwill ambassadors on the 2016 Dogwood Trail Court are: Bayside Academy sophomore Emily McCrory; representing Spanish Fort High School is junior Taylor Pierce and Hannah Smith; from Fairhope High School junior Madilyn Warner and sophomore Anna Walding; and from McGill Toolen is sophomore Annabelle Algiers. Each court member will receive, courtesy of the Eastern Shore Optimist Club, a $1,000 cash college scholarship and period costume for public appearances.  

 Once the preliminary components of the pageant were complete, 12 finalists were chosen. The 12 finalists randomly selected questions that were formulated by the judges committee. The finalists were Bayside Academy student Emily McCrory; Fairhope High School students Caroline Toombs, Anna Walding, and Madilyn Warner; Daphne High School student Blakely Bacque’ and Erica Hoffman; McGill Toolin student Annabelle Algiers; and Spanish Fort High School students Kallie Brown, Keelyn Klix, Taylor Pierce, Ashley Scarbrough, and Hannah Smith.  Faulkner State Community College awards a presidential scholarship to two of the 12 finalists. 

Other cash scholarships and awards presented during the program were as follows (unless otherwise noted, the awards were courtesy of the Dogwood Trail Program): The $250 scholastic achievement award winners were Daphne High School’s Allison Tobias for sophomore scholastic achievement and Fairhope High School’s Kerstin Glaser for junior scholastic achievement. A $100 scholarship was awarded to Camille Carey for being the participant who sold the highest dollar amount for ad sales.  The recipient of the $250 essay award sponsored by the Daphne Optimist Club was Emily McCrory, a sophomore at Bayside Academy.  Courtesy of First National Bank of Baldwin County, the $250 cash scholarship for best interview was awarded to McGill Toolen’s Annabelle Algiers.  Courtesy of UTC Aerospace Structures, the $250 cash scholarship for best creative introduction was awarded to Spanish Fort High School’s Taylor Pierce.   The $250 cash scholarship for presence and composure courtesy of The South Alabama British Car Club was awarded to Spanish Fort High School’s Taylor Pierce. Also courtesy of the Eastern Shore Optimist Club is the $250 Crystal Kae Davis Spirit of Dogwood award. This year’s recipient was Bayside Academy’s

Emily McCrory.   

At Sunday’s Tea the 2016 court members selected their dress colors.  Annabelle Algiers will be wearing pink, Emily McCrory—yellow, Taylor Pierce—blue, Hannah Smith—peach, Anna Walding—aqua and Madilyn Warner—lavender.  The newly selected court will make its debut appearance during the 63^rd annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival Saturday, March 19 at noon in the courtyard next to the Regions Bank on Section Street.