Dunklin named 2018 Miss Christmas on the River

September 30, 2018October 3, 2018 Laura Clements Alabama, Christmas on the River, community, COTR, Demopolis, Dunklin, Miss COTR, news

Alysse Dunklin was crowned Miss Christmas on the River 2018 at the Demopolis Civic Center on Saturday, Sept. 29.

A new Miss Christmas on the River was crowned Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Demopolis Civic Center. Miss COTR has been tradition for the City of the People and is approaching celebrating 50 years of pageantry. The queen is selected on her beauty, poise, grace, and ability to speak in public, while handling the pressures of representing the Christmas on the River Committee as their spokes-model during the year’s events.

The interviews of 15 lovely and excited young ladies started at 3:30 p.m. and was followed by the stage portion, which was open to the public at 7:00 p.m. All of the Miss COTR contestants had the chance to shine and show that they were the one that best fit the position. The judges then came back with a top 10 that would continue on in the competition. The top 10 selected wereTaylor Langley, Cassidy Crawford, Harley Johnston, Molly Katherine Harrison, Chloe Lewis, Abby Quinney, Isabella Reid, Taylor Alysse Dunklin, Alyssa Martinez, and Mary Creigh Smith.

The judges then scored the girls again to make sure they had selected their Top 5 and those contestants came back to answer an onstage question, in order to see how they handled thinking on their feet and speaking in public. After the judges deliberated, they had finally selected Miss Christmas on the River 2018 and her Court!

The first award given was that of Miss Congeniality which was selected by the contestants. Miss Congeniality for 2018 COTR was Harley Johnston. Harley is a Senior at Demopolis High School. Fourth alternate, wearing a classic red satin evening gown, was Demopolis High School 10th-grader Abby Quinney. Taylor Langley, wearing a beautiful white organza ball gown embellished with gold beading, was awarded third alternate. Taylor is in the 11th grade at DHS. Wearing an elegant green satin evening gown was second alternate Cassidy Crawford, a freshman at Demopolis High. Selected as first alternate to Miss COTR was ninth-grader at DHS, Molly Katherine Harrison. Molly Katherine was wearing a gorgeous maroon satin ball gown with a fully beaded bodice.

Crowned Miss Christmas on the River 2018 was Demopolis High sophomore, Taylor Alysse Dunklin who was wearing a royal purple mermaid gown with a cascading bow with Bollywood inspired beading on the back. Alysse is the 15-year-old daughter of Taylor and Wanda Dunklin. She is a cheerleader at DHS and is very involved in her church, First Baptist Church of Demopolis.

Dunklin said she was very shocked but super excited about being this year’s Miss Christmas on the River, and looks forward to being involved in all of the events. Alysse also encouraged more girls to sign up and be a part of the Miss COTR pageant and get the chance to represent the amazing and fun filled week of Christmas On The River 2018, starting Wednesday, Nov. 28.