Fifty of Fort Dale Academy's loveliest young ladies, grades 7 though 12, appeared on stage at the Ritz last Saturday afternoon and evening.

&#8220A Walk in the Park” was the theme for the annual junior and senior high pageants, sponsored by the FDA yearbook staff.

On stage, flowering plants and ferns, coupled with a park bench and the gleam of a flickering coach light, provided a background of understated elegance for the two programs.

A total of

26 7th, 8th and 9th grade girls vied for the crown of Junior Miss FDA at the 4:30 p.m. pageant.

Emily Bates, sponsored by Two Boutiques, won the title, while Kayla Lee, sponsored by Lee Electric, was chosen first runner-up.

Others in the top eight included Jessica Bush, Lori Fail, Mary Ryan Neilson, Sarah James, Carrie Victoria and Katie Wilson. Wynn Boan was chosen Miss Congeniality in the junior high group.

At the senior high pageant, 24 10th-12th graders sought after the title of Miss FDA 2006.

It was contestant number three, Halie Burnett, who was crowned by Miss FDA 2005, Holley Arnold. Burnett, a dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty, enjoys softball and all types of dance, including ballet, tap and jazz.

Brittany Singleton, pretty in pink, was selected as first runner-up. Singleton, who, like Burnett, was sponsored by her parents, enjoys dance and aspires to a career in business.

Taten Coleman was selected as Miss Congeniality for the senior high group.

Others in the top eight for Miss Senior FDA 2006 were Elisa Campbell, Shana Fail, Mallory Lee, Jennifer Pouncey, Laura Tucker and Terra Whittle.

Due to a sudden illness, the scheduled emcee for the two programs, David Norrell, was unable to fulfill his duties.

Joan Reynolds, Republican candidate for the state senate, ably stepped in on short notice to serve as mistress of ceremonies for the programs.

Director Ashley Langford kept things running smoothly

throughout the afternoon and evening.

&#8220I appreciate Joan for helping us out at the last minute and the judges for making such a hard decision. They are all pretty girls,” Langford said.