Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
Photos courtesy of the SPFC by Two Dunn Photography
Paizlee Swanner, Clara Meredith, Dally Rabee, Austin Phillips, and Josephine Jones were all elevated to the level of queen in their respective age divisions in the 2026 Sheriff’s Possee of Franklin County Royalty Coronation ceremony, the closing night of the three-day rodeo Labor Day weekend.
This year, the queen contestants raised over $30,000 to support the local event and provide funding for the prizes presented to all the contestants in the competition. Each of the winners will represent the Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County at year-round community events as they promote the sport of rodeo. In addition, the oldest title holders are expected to represent the local organization at the UPRA Queen’s competition at their rodeo finals in October.
Paizlee Swanner was crowned 2026 Miss Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County. Girls ages 16-24 are eligible to compete in the Miss division. They are judged on horsemanship, interview, speech, modeling, and impromptu speaking. As the winner, Queen Swanner received a crown, sash, buckle, saddle, and prize package. In addition, she receives a $2,000 scholarship.
Paizlee is the 16-year-old daughter of Kyle and Chasity Swanner of Winnsboro. She is in the 11th grade at Winnsboro High School, where she participates in FFA, Beta Club, varsity softball, and Interact Club. Paizlee enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as spending hours in the show barn working with animals. She always has fun when traveling with the Adrenalin Softball team. She is the current Winnsboro FFA president and was a state finalist for three years in FFA Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events. She is sponsored by her parents, as well as grandparents, “Pops” and “Toodles”, and “Pappy” and “Gigi.”
Clara Meredith was crowned 2026 Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County Teen Queen. She received a crown, sash, buckle, and saddle. Contestants, girls ages 12-15, are judged on horsemanship, interview, speech, modeling, and impromptu speaking. In addition, Clara took home spur straps as the winner of the modeling, a set of splint boots as winner of the speech contest, and, as winner of the interview segment, cinched the title in an otherwise point tie and took home a bronc halter.
First Runner-up to the title in the Teen division was Raylea Juarez, who tied points with Clara in all but the Interview segment, which was set as the tiebreaker prior to the start of the competition. Raylea won the impromptu segment and the purse prize, as well as the horsemanship segment, and took home a set of stirrups. As First Runner-up, Raylea received a tack set and saddle pad.
Raylea is the 12-year-old daughter of Wade and Olivia Juarez of Mount Vernon. She is in the seventh grade at Mount Vernon Middle School, where she participates in academic UIL, the 4H broiler shows, and 4H horse judging. She enjoys crocheting, beading, working horses, and raising chickens and goats. She was the 2023 SPFC Youth Rodeo Top Hand, 2025 Winnsboro Youth Rodeo Association (WYRA) 14U girls All Around Cowgirl, 4-time National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA)qualifier, 2-time Better Barrel Races (BBR) qualifier, 5th place winner at the state horse show in barrel racing, 2021 SPFC Jr Princess, and 2023 SPFC Princess. She is sponsored by Diamond Bar J.
Raylea Juarez was selected to receive the coveted Randy Green Memorial Award. Each year, the Posse selects one girl who exemplifies the same characteristics lived by Green during his time on earth - someone who always has a smile to share, who works hard, who gives 100%, and who always encourages others. The award is a reminder that hard work and a joyful heart can make the world a better place.
Dally Rabee was crowned the 2026 Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County Princess and received a crown, sash, buckle, and saddle. On the road to the title in the age 7-11 division, Dally earned a bronc halter in the interview segment, spur straps in the modeling segment, a purse in impromptu speaking, and stirrups for horsemanship.
Dally is the 10-year-old daughter of Andy & Linda Rabe of Pecan Gap. She is in 6th grade at Cooper Elementary. She participates in FFA, 4H, UIL, and National Elementary Honors Society. Dally enjoys softball, tumbling, basketball, and swimming. She has served as parliamentarian for the Cooper Elementary Honors Society; she was the 2025 Paris Rodeo Princess and 3rd place oral reader in UIL District. She is sponsored by Fisk Farms.
Brynlee Mills earned the Princess’ First Runner-up honors and was presented with a tack set and saddle pad, as well as a custom-painted feather and beaded earring set as most improved, and splint boots for winning the speech segment. Brynlee is the seven-year-old daughter of Olivia Mills and Cody Mills of Gilmer. She is in the 3rd grade at New Diana Elementary. Brynlee enjoys riding her horse, dancing, softball, spending time with family, and playing with her pets. She will be starting youth rodeo this fall. Brynlee is a former Gladewater Rodeo Sweetheart.
Austin Phillips was crowned 2026 Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County Little Miss. She received a crown, sash, buckle, and saddle, and earned a bronc halter for interview, spur straps for modeling, and stirrups for horsemanship.
Austin is the 5-year-old daughter of Colton and Savannah Phillips. She is in Kindergarten at Mount Vernon Elementary. Austin enjoys participating in youth rodeos, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, and roping. She enjoys dancing, playing softball, and soccer. Austin was the 2024 SPFC Sweetheart, 2025 Miss Merry Christmas, and a Franklin County Softball State Qualifier. Austin is sponsored by Phillips Investments, Phillips E-TEX, and Northeast Texas Cattle Company.
Ellen Kate Newman was crowned First Runner-up to the title in the 2026 Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County Little Miss Division. She received a tack set and saddle pad as runner-up, earned the purse in an impromptu speech, and a cash prize for high sales. Ellen Kate is the 5-year-old daughter of Kandi and Garrett Newman from Mount Vernon. She is in Kindergarten at Mount Vernon Elementary. She enjoys riding horses, riding four-wheelers, and playing outside with her brothers. She is sponsored by Newman and Sons Cattle Company.
The winner of the Sweetheart Division for girls age six and under is determined by high money sales.
Josephine Jones was crowned 2026 Sheriff’s Posse of Franklin County Sweetheart and took home a crown, sash, buckle, and saddle prize package. She also earned the “People's Choice Award” from voting at the Royalty Gala and the first two nights of rodeo performances. Josephine is the one-year-old daughter of Cayden and Maggie Jones of Bogata. She enjoys barrel racing, pole bending, playing with her brother, riding horses with her aunt, and going swimming. She participates in Christian Youth Rodeo Association events. She is sponsored by T 5 Performance Horses.
First Runner-up to the Sweetheart title was claimed by Kennedy Chennault. As First Runner-up in the Little Miss, age six years and younger division, Ellen Kate Newman earned top points and took home stirrups in Horsemanship, spur straps in Modeling, and a bronc halter in Interview. Kennedy is the three-year-old daughter of Aaron and Kaylee Chennault of Sulphur Springs. She enjoys riding horses and playing with her Barbies. She is obsessed with all things Disney Princess. Kennedy was the Hunt County Horseman’s Association Lead Line Champion in 2025. She is sponsored by The Hay Loft in Farmerville.
If for any reason the queen of any division can not complete her year of reign, the first runner-up in that division will be asked to complete the year and represent the local organization.
