Miss Juneteenth pageant turning Tri-City girls into leaders for 24 years

The Tri-Cities Miss Juneteenth scholarship program, led by Elouise Sparks since 2002, will host its 24th annual pageant on Saturday, June 14, at Chiawana High School. The event marks the transition of the crown from outgoing Queen Amina Oliver, a recent Richland High School graduate studying political science at Boise State University, to the new winner. The pageant aims to educate the community about Juneteenth, which commemorates the official liberation of enslaved African Americans in 1865, a delay of two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Scholarship funds are raised through ads sold by contestants, with proceeds split among the queen and two runner-up princesses. Unlike larger pageants, the program relies on grassroots efforts, distributing funds based on community support. Oliver emphasized the pageant’s role in fostering unity, stating it helped her connect with her Black identity and inspired her to pursue justice through education. The pageant is part of a week-long Juneteenth celebration, including a Family Skate Night on June 14, an Adult Bowling event on June 16, and a Day of Service on June 19. Highlights include a parade, park activities, and a 3X3 basketball tournament on June 20, followed by a Gospel Celebration on June 21. The final event, Juneteenth Journey of Freedom, is scheduled for June 26. This year’s contestants include Anaiah Charles, an 18-year-old Pasco High School graduate, and four others. The program’s focus on community service ensures participants engage in local initiatives, from volunteering at organizations to supporting businesses. Oliver’s advice to the new queen: ‘Be yourself,’ reflecting the program’s emphasis on authenticity and leadership. Tickets for the pageant are $10 online or $15 at the door, with proceeds supporting scholarships. The event underscores the program’s mission to empower young Black women while preserving Juneteenth’s historical significance in the Tri-Cities.