By Miles Layton

Lakhyiah Gibbs named 2026 Miss Hyde County as annual event celebrates community, family and a tradition dating back to 1968

HYDE COUNTY — For Logan Mooney, the Miss Hyde County Pageant is more than a competition. It is a family tradition that began nearly 60 years ago, when her grandmother helped establish an event that would become part of the fabric of Hyde County.

This year, that tradition continued Nov. 6-7 as young women and girls took the stage for the annual Miss Hyde County pageants, with 10th grader Lakhyiah Gibbs earning the title of 2026 Miss Hyde County.

A gallery of photos from the pageant appears at the end of the story.

Why cover the pageant? First, folks should know who the new queen is because she will be representing Hyde County as an ambassador of sorts at parades and festivals near and far across Northeast NC.

Next, contestants put a lot of effort into participating in the pageant, so they deserve a little recognition.

And, events like this are a showcase of community spirit.

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Back to our story — Gibbs was among 19 contestants competing in four divisions, while two additional children received Baby Miss and Baby Mr. Hyde County titles. The weekend brought together families, friends and volunteers to celebrate the contestants and a community tradition that has endured for generations.

For Mooney, the pageant director, the connection is personal. Her grandmother, Delores Berry, was among the Hyde County Jaycees and Jaycettes who came together Oct. 17, 1968, to establish Hyde County Farm Days.

“Nearly 60 years ago, a group of people believed that bringing a community together was something worth doing. I wonder if they ever imagined that all these years later, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren would still be gathering to celebrate what they started,” Mooney said.

“As the granddaughter of one of those original members, being part of the Miss Hyde County Pageant is more than just a responsibility. It’s a privilege, and it’s personal.”

Mooney now finds herself helping organize the same community celebration her grandmother helped begin, working alongside other volunteers to ensure another generation of Hyde County children has the opportunity to participate.

Lakhyiah Gibbs crowned Miss Hyde County

Gibbs, the granddaughter of Sharon Burris-Slade, was crowned during Friday evening’s competition.

A 10th-grade student, Gibbs participates in FFA, SkillsUSA, Beta Club and Student Council. She plans to attend Arizona State University, where she hopes to earn a business degree before pursuing a career in real estate law.

In addition to the crown, Gibbs will receive a scholarship funded through the fundraising efforts of Baby Miss and Baby Mr. Hyde County contestants and their families, both this year and in previous years.

Mooney said the generosity of those families makes it possible to continue awarding a scholarship to the Miss Hyde County winner each year.

Savanah Whitfield, daughter of Billy and Heather Whitfield, was named first runner-up. An 11th grader, Whitfield participates in five sports, Beta Club, FFA and HOSA. She hopes to pursue a career in early childhood education and return to teach in Hyde County.

Naomi Arellano, daughter of Brianda Ramirez and Juan Arellano, received the Miss Congeniality award. A high school senior, Arellano participates in volleyball, softball, cheerleading and Lakers for Christ. She hopes to serve as an Army combat medic before pursuing a career in medicine.

Also competing for Miss Hyde County were Hadlee Casper and Essie O’Neal.

Casper, the daughter of Jennie Farrow and Michael Casper, is a ninth grader who participates in Beta Club and cheerleading. She enjoys hunting, fishing and American Sign Language and hopes to become an emergency medical technician.

O’Neal, the daughter of Nancy Leach and Rex Beach O’Neal, is a senior at Ocracoke School. She participates in several sports and serves as president of both FBLA and Beta Club. She hopes to study graphic design and marketing.

Junior Miss Hyde County

Saturday’s competitions included the crowning of Destiny Ramirez as 2026 Junior Miss Hyde County.

Ramirez, the granddaughter of Simona Esquivel Ruiz, is an eighth grader who participates in volleyball, softball and cheerleading. A straight-A student, she hopes to become an artist and photographer.

Raya Gibbs, daughter of Ashley Gibbs and Chris Tomlinson, was named first runner-up. A sixth grader at Mattamuskeet, she enjoys cheerleading, fishing and music. She hopes to pursue a career in cosmetology or work from home.

Lilah Williams, daughter of Jason and Susan Williams, received the Junior Miss Congeniality award.

An eighth grader at PCA, Williams enjoys volleyball, softball, playing the piano and playing the ukulele. Among her personal accomplishments, she is particularly proud of stepping outside her comfort zone to participate in the pageant.

Young Miss Hyde County

Genessy Swilley, a fifth grader and daughter of Mike and Angel Swilley, was crowned 2026 Young Miss Hyde County.

Swilley enjoys softball, volleyball and art. She also operates her own small business selling handmade items and hopes to become a cosmetologist.

McKenna Lewis, daughter of Jason and Deanna Lewis, was named first runner-up. A third grader, Lewis enjoys basketball, soccer, cheerleading and drawing. She hopes to become a doctor.

Kennedy Spencer, daughter of Omar and Marissa Bullard, received the Miss Congeniality award. A fifth grader, Spencer enjoys science, drawing and spending time with her family. She hopes to own a business someday.

Three other contestants participated in the Young Miss division.

Amaya Strissel, daughter of Arthur and Chantrea Strissel, is a fourth grader who enjoys ballet, singing and volleyball. She dreams of becoming an actress, singer or doctor.

Cali Midgette, daughter of Stan Collins and Tequila Midgette, is a third grader who enjoys art, dancing and helping others. She hopes to become an R&B singer.

Jersey Spencer, daughter of Omar and Marissa Bullard, is a second grader who enjoys math, singing and spending time with friends. She dreams of becoming a singer.

Little Miss Hyde County

Kalila Arellano Ramirez earned two honors during Saturday’s competition, winning both the 2026 Little Miss Hyde County crown and the division’s Miss Congeniality award.

The daughter of Juan Arellano and Brianda Ramirez, Kalila is a first grader who enjoys science, dancing and drawing. She hopes to become a veterinarian.

Palmer McKeel, daughter of Josh and Allie McKeel, was named first runner-up. A kindergartner, she enjoys baseball, gardening and spending time on the farm. She hopes to become a singer.

Three other young contestants participated in the division.

Kalani Esparza, daughter of Amelia and Ismael Esparza, is a prekindergarten student who enjoys soccer, dancing and playing with her brother. She hopes to become a doctor.

Lennon Gibbs, daughter of Morgan Manson and Jonathan Gibbs, is a prekindergarten student who enjoys dancing, hunting and spending time with her family. She hopes to become a firefighter.

Cora Katherine Ballance, daughter of Madison and Mallory Ballance, is also a prekindergarten student. She enjoys drawing, singing, gardening and helping her parents. She hopes to become a mother and a cook.

Baby Miss and Baby Mr. Hyde County

Two of the pageant’s youngest titleholders were announced Friday evening during the Miss Hyde County competition.

Dailynn Richards, daughter of Deanna and Dylan Richards, was named 2026 Baby Miss Hyde County.

Hunter Wayne Gibbs, son of Alyssa and Cruise Gibbs, was named 2026 Baby Mr. Hyde County.

The Baby Miss and Baby Mr. competitions also serve an important purpose beyond awarding titles. Fundraising by participants and their families helps support the scholarship awarded annually to the Miss Hyde County winner.

Mooney said she is especially proud that the families’ support and generosity make the scholarship possible.

Celebrating confidence and friendship

Although the crowns and formal gowns draw much of the attention, Mooney said some of the most meaningful moments happen when contestants overcome their nerves, encourage one another and form friendships.

Each contestant participated in an opening presentation, casual wear, fun fashion and formal wear, which included an on-stage question. An optional talent competition was judged separately and did not count toward the contestants’ overall scores.

One award Mooney particularly values is Miss Congeniality, which is determined by the contestants rather than the judges.

The girls vote for the fellow contestant they believe has been the kindest, friendliest and most supportive throughout the pageant.

This year’s recipients were Naomi Arellano in the Miss Hyde County division, Lilah Williams in Junior Miss, Kennedy Spencer in Young Miss and Kalila Arellano Ramirez in Little Miss.

For Mooney, those honors represent the spirit she hopes the pageants encourage.

She said the most rewarding moments include watching a little girl find the courage to cross the stage for the first time, seeing contestants cheer one another on and witnessing friendships develop backstage.

“I want to congratulate our newly crowned Miss Hyde County, Lakhyiah Gibbs, all of our 2026 queens, and every young lady who had the courage to step onto that stage,” Mooney said. “The crowns may be what everyone sees, but what I hope these girls carry with them are the friendships they’ve made, the confidence they’ve gained, and the memories they’ll have long after the lights go down.”

A tradition renewed

The Miss Hyde County pageants have grown considerably since Farm Days and the competitions returned in 2022.

That year, organizers offered two divisions: Miss Hyde County for students in grades nine through 12 and Little Miss Hyde County for children in prekindergarten through first grade.

The response encouraged organizers to expand the competition in 2023, adding Young Miss Hyde County for grades two through five and Junior Miss Hyde County for grades six through eight.

The four divisions now give contestants an opportunity to return as they grow older, moving from the youngest competitions into the divisions for middle and high school students.

Mooney said watching that progression has been one of the most rewarding parts of organizing the pageants. Each year brings new contestants, returning families and young women who once competed in the youngest divisions.

The pageants also provide an opportunity to recognize those who represented Hyde County Farm Days during the previous year.

This year’s competitions marked the end of the reigns of four 2025 queens: Henley Gibbs, Miss Hyde County; Anna Bliss, Junior Miss Hyde County; Mary Sellers Luker, Young Miss Hyde County; and Lyla Marshall, Little Miss Hyde County.

Mooney thanked the outgoing queens for representing their titles and being part of the tradition.

Community support keeps pageants going

Putting together a weekend of pageants requires considerable preparation, from organizing contestants and practices to coordinating judges, volunteers and other details.

Mooney credited fellow pageant directors HollyAnne Berry, Adriane Marshall and Hannah Elkins for helping make this year’s competitions possible.

She also recognized Lee Brimmage, the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce, the judges and the many businesses, families and individuals who donated, sponsored, volunteered or otherwise supported the event.

Among those contributing to the weekend was photographer Malik Scott, who graduated from high school last year.

Mooney praised Scott’s talent and willingness to go to great lengths to capture the perfect photograph, preserving moments that contestants and their families can look back on for years to come.

She also expressed appreciation for the contestants and their families, recognizing the time and effort involved in practices, preparations and participation throughout pageant weekend.

That support, Mooney said, is what has allowed the tradition to continue.

When the Hyde County Jaycees and Jaycettes gathered in October 1968, they set out to bring their community together. Nearly six decades later, the event they began continues to bring together families, volunteers and generations of participants.

For Mooney, whose grandmother helped establish Farm Days, carrying on that work is both a responsibility and a personal connection to Hyde County’s past.

“Years from now, the dresses will be put away, the photographs will be tucked into albums, and another generation of queens will take their place,” she said. “But the memories, the traditions, and the pride of being part of something bigger than ourselves will remain.”

“We aren’t just celebrating another year of Farm Days. We’re carrying forward something that began in 1968, honoring those who came before us, and making sure the next generation has something just as special to remember.”

Gallery — click to enlarge — photos by Malik Scott — Great photos