Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
Photography by Kristin Harrison
Seven beauties were crowned as the 2026 division titleholders in the 58th annual Miss Mount Vernon Scholarship Pageant in the Mount Vernon School Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Lily Ann Ellis was crowned Miss Mount Vernon 2026. On her way to the title, she earned Most Photogenic and Top Ticket Sales awards. As the new titleholder, Lily Ann receives a scholarship in the amount of $2,500 provided by American Legion Post 243. She is a senior at MVHS and is the daughter of Steve and Kristy Ellis. She was sponsored by Brooksey Crow Sand & Gravel. Cordell Carroll, son of Harold and Amanda Carroll, served as her escort for the pageant.
Lily Ann hopes to attend the University of Mississippi for undergraduate studies and preparations for dental school. Her long-term goal is to earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and become a licensed dentist. While in college, she wants to continue her love of cheer and earn a place on the collegiate cheer team.
Lily Ann is currently serving as Varsity Cheer Captain in her third consecutive year on the MVHS Varsity Cheer team. She was on teams earning All-American Honors five times and was named TGCA All-Star Alternate. She placed in mixed doubles competition in both junior varsity and varsity tennis. As stage manager for the MVHS One Act Play, which won the 3A UIL State Title this Spring, Lily Ann was named Best Technician at the district-level competition in Tyler. She is involved in Student Council and was selected to participate in the Leaders of Tomorrow program for junior students.
Elsa Martell was crowned Junior Miss Mount Vernon 2026. On her way to the crown, Elsa won the High-Ticket Sales and Most Photogenic awards for the division. As the title winner receives a $500 scholarship, sponsored by American Legion Post 243. She is the daughter of Michael and Jeannie Martell and was sponsored by MJM Painting, Inc. Her father served as escort for the pageant.
As a freshman at MVHS, Elsa is exploring her strengths both on the sports field and in the classroom. After high school, her goal is to attend a university to study biomedical science and pursue a career in research. Ultimately, whether working in a laboratory or collaborating with a healthcare team, Elsa says her goal is to “use science to solve real-world problems and make a lasting impact on our community.”
First Runner-up to the title of Junior Miss Mount Vernon was Colbi Baze. She is the daughter of Lucas and Jamie Baze. She is sponsored by Sheers Gifts and Salon. Her father served as escort for the pageant. Should the winner not be able to complete her reign, Colbi will be asked to serve in her stead. She was sponsored by Sheers Gifts and Salon.
Second Runner-up to the title of Junior Miss Mount Vernon was Caleigh Ehrhardt. She won the Talent Award and received a $1,000 scholarship. Caleigh is the daughter of Chris and Jade Ehrhardt and the younger sister of Chris Ehrhardt. She was sponsored by Browntown Laser & Stitch and Denney Wild Thread T-shirt Company.
Kaydance McBride was selected as Miss Congeniality for the Junior Miss division. She is the daughter of Summer and C. J. Crump and was sponsored by Brizilia Beauty Studio. Brayden Crump, son of Clinton and Summer Crump, served as her escort for the pageant.
Brynleigh Carrascosa was crowned Young Miss Mount Vernon 2026. She is the daughter of Martin and Cassandra Carrascosa, and was sponsored by M&C Distribution and Transportation. Her brother, Rylan Carrascosa, served as escort for the pageant. Brynleigh told judges she wanted to “represent Mount Vernon because I love my community and want to inspire others while giving back.”
First Runner-Up to the title of Young Miss Mount Vernon was Harlow Bonacorsi. In addition to being second runner-up, Harlow won the Most Photogenic and Highest Ticket Sales awards. She is the daughter of Whitney and Robert Bonacorsi and was sponsored by The Thrift Store. Her older brother Colton Bonacorsi served as escort for the pageant.
Second Runner-Up to the title of Young Miss Mount Vernon was Emmory Phillips. She is the daughter of Colton and Savannah Phillips and was sponsored by Phillips Investments. Her father served as escort for the pageant.
Haydyn Russell was selected as Miss Congeniality by her peers in the Young Miss Division. She is the daughter of Dallas and Rebecca Russell and was sponsored by Big Brand Tire. Cooper Gentry served as her escort for the pageant. He is the son of Michael and Kayla Gentry.
McKenna Land was crowned Petite Miss Mount Vernon 2026. She is the daughter of Tatum Land and was sponsored by The Spot and Milano’s Pizza restaurants. Her uncle Droux Day, son of Dena and Mitch Day, served as her escort for the pageant. Her favorite thing about the community is how its people come together to help people in need. Her favorite saying is from Robert Brault: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
First Runner-Up to the title of Petite Miss Mount Vernon was Avery Rentfro. She is the daughter of Kevin and Christine Rentfro and was sponsored by JKR Contracting. Her dad served as her escort for the pageant.
Second Runner-Up to the Petite Miss Mount Vernon crown was Autumn Casildo. She is the daughter of Shalina and Felix Casildo and was sponsored by Pepe Heating and Air Conditioning. Her brother, Caden Rogers, son of Shalina Richeson and Billy Rogers, served as her escort for the pageant.
The division’s Most Photogenic award was claimed by Avery Rentfro, daughter of Kevin and Christine Rentfro. She was sponsored by JKR Contracting. Her father served as escort for the pageant.
Khloe Smith was named Miss Congeniality by her peers and claimed the Highest Ticket Sales award. She is the daughter of Michael and Megan Smith and was sponsored by Smitty Property Management. Her father served as escort for the pageant.
Emersyn Moore was crowned Little Miss Mount Vernon 2026 and earned the Highest Ticket Sales award. She is the daughter of Rob and Heather Moore, and she was sponsored by Twisted B Septic. A friend, Isaac Herrera, son of Leo Herrera and Maria Mendez, served as escort for the pageant. When Emersyn grows up, she wants to be an emergency room nurse and to help people not get sick anymore. If she were principal for a day, Emersyn would “make sure that all the kids were kind.”
First Runner-Up to the title of Little Miss Mount Vernon was McKenli Land. She was selected Most Photogenic and Miss Congeniality. McKenli is the daughter of Tatum Land and was sponsored by Fifty Shades of Spray.
Emmie Haley, a second-grade student at Mount Vernon Elementary, was crowned Tiny Miss Mount Vernon 2026. She is the daughter of Megan Haley and was sponsored by Mount Vernon Auto Lube.
First Runner-up to the title of Tiny Miss Mount Vernon was Rylee Ray Clayton. She is the daughter of Hannah Kizer and C. J. Clayton and was sponsored by Kizer Construction. Rylee is a first-grade student.
Second Runner-Up was Hadlynn Russell, daughter of Dallas and Rebecca Russell. She was sponsored by Mt. Vernon Tire. She was selected to receive the Most Photogenic award. A friend, Spencer Gentry, son of Michael and Kayla Gentry, served as escort for the pageant.
The Miss Congeniality award went to Remi Jaye Zatarain, who also earned the Highest Ticket Sales award. Remi is the daughter of Ryan and Lacye Zatarain. She was sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 243.
Austin Phillips was crowned Mini Miss Mount Vernon 2026 and received the Most Photogenic award. She is the daughter of Colton and Savanna Phillips and is sponsored by Phillips Investments. A rodeo pal, Kade Thomas, son of Kelly and Shely Thomas, served as her escort for the pageant. When Austin grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian and open “Ponies & Purrs Veterinary Clinic.” If she were principal for a day, Austin would make it western day, so “everyone could wear their boots and cowboy hats, have barrel races at recess, and horses waiting in the pick-up line to take us home.”
First Runner-Up to the title of Mini Miss Mount Vernon was Kinzley Bogue. She was named Miss Congeniality and earned the Highest Ticket Sales awards. Kinzley is the daughter of Courtney and Cody Bean and was sponsored by Timber Creek Beef.
