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A total of 11 contestants competed in the Miss LBW 2024 Pageant that was held on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the LBW Martha Solon Dixon Center for the Performing Arts. Rhian Grayson, fifth from left, was named the winner of the pageant. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Miss LBW 2023 Audrey Danford crowns Rhian Grayson of Greenville as Miss LBW 2024. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Dr. Brock Kelley, right, with the LBW Pageant Finalists, from left, Olvia Mikel, Rhian Grayson, and Kayley Peebles. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

From left, Emma Poore, Olivia Mikel, Rhian Grayson, Kayley Peebles, and Neat Woodham were among the award winners at the conclusion of the pageant. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Olivia Mikel, second from left, receives the First Alternate Award from Audrey Danford, right. Also pictured is Dr. Brock Kelley. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Audrey Danford, left, presents Kayley Peebles with the Second Alternate Award. Also pictured is Dr. Brock Kelley. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Neat Woodham, left, receives the award for Interview from Audrey Danford. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Emma Poore, left, receives the award for the Wellness category from Audrey Danford. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

Olivia Mikel, left, receives the awards for the Talent and Self-Expression categories from Audrey Danford. (PHOTO BY MAGGIE MASH)

A total of 11 young women competed in the 2024 Miss LBW Pageant on Thursday, Nov. 9, and sophomore Rhian Grayson of Greenville was announced as the winner.

Grayson received a $500 cash tuition scholarship and an invitation to compete at Miss Alabama Volunteer. In addition to Miss LBW, she also won the Spirit Award, which was chosen by the other 10 participants.

“Many of my friends and family have watched my reaction and have all commented on my reaction. I was thrilled to be named Miss LBW. I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried many tears of happiness and joy,” Grayson said.

Grayson is involved in the Ensemble, Compass Club, Bleed Blue Crew, and Common Ground organizations at LBWCC. She also helped coordinate the “Tea with a Queen” event prior to the competition at Southern Ground Coffeehouse, where she is a barista.

She started competing in pageants at a young age and felt honored to be named this year’s winner.

“When I was in high school, I earned the title of Miss Greenville High School. I also participated in the Butler County Distinguished Young Women program. I have been a student at LBW since I was in high school through dual enrollment. Through my involvement at LBW, I have grown to love this college and the Saints family. Winning this competition is a very special honor to me.”

Her favorite part of the competition was making new friends and bonding with the other contestants.

“I really enjoyed the friendships that were created through the pageant. The ladies who participate are involved in different activities on campus and even attend different campuses. If it was not for the pageant, I might not have met some of them,” she said.

Grayson’s talent for the competition was singing “Almost There” from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.”

“I began to sing at a young age but really started singing publicly with my church. I was then able to earn a scholarship to LBW and be a member of the LBW Ensemble.”

Grayson said she felt both excited and anxious while competing in the pageant’s interview component.

“This is the first opportunity to meet the judges and be able to show them who I am off the stage. They ask questions to get to know me more on a personal level and learn about what I enjoy and love,” she said.

Grayson is originally from Greenville and graduated from Greenville High School in 2022. She is the daughter of Stephanie Grayson and the late Otis Grayson with a brother, Roman Grayson.

Upon graduation from LBWCC, Grayson’s future plans are to transfer to Troy University in the fall of 2024 and major in Interdisciplinary Studies.

“I would like to thank my mother. She encourages me and pushes me to be a better person. I also am thankful for many people at LBW who have helped me along the way, including Ms. Katie King, Ms. Tori Norris, Ms. Kathy Dowdy, and Mr. Johnny Brewer,” Grayson said.

Olivia Mikel was named as the first alternate, and Kayley Peebles was named as the second alternate. Emma Poore won the Wellness category, and Neat Woodham was the winner of the Interview category. Mikel was also selected as the winner of both the Self-Expression and Talent categories.

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