Oxford High School recently hosted its annual Parade of Beauties pageant, bringing students and families together. With 62 participants this year, the pageant continues to grow in size and excitement.
This year’s winner was Wesley Claire Lafont, current OHS senior, and this was her first year doing the pageant.
“I’m very honored, surprised and excited at the same time [to be named OHS Most Beautiful],” Lafont said.
The Parade of Beauties offers students the opportunity to grow their confidence and step outside of their comfort zones. Makayla Jennings was crowned last year’s OHS Most Beautiful 2024-2025.
“I would definitely encourage everyone to do the pageant,” Jennings said. “It is such a fun and cool experience. It is a great way to step out of your comfort zone. The best part is a night full of getting glammed up and taking pictures with all your friends and family.”
The pageant takes lots of preparation and training. Winning OHS Most Beautiful is considered a huge accomplishment, Lafont’s win being especially impressive because it was her first year competing.
“My sister, Brie, helped me prepare from my dress down to my walk,” Lafont said. “I could not have done it without her. Also, my friend, Cameron Davis, gave me great tips on stage presence. She is amazing.”
Pageant organizer Alison Schmelzer has watched the Parade of Beauties transform over the years. With participation increasing and improvements each year, this event has become bigger and bigger for the school.
“Oxford High School has had a school pageant for decades, but we have been doing our current Parade of Beauties format for the past five years,” Schmelzer said. “We started with around 27 students participating, and we had 62 students participate this year.”
The Parade of Beauties allows students to feel celebrated and uplifted. Contestants get to grow in their confidence.
“My favorite part by far is getting to walk on stage,” Jennings said. “I love that I get to model the gown I have on, and the fun part is getting my makeup and hair done.”
Schmelzer considers one of the best parts about the pageant to be getting to see all the participation and hard work pay off. It is a moment where every contestant’s effort and confidence shows.
“My favorite part is definitely pageant night,” Schmelzer said. “When we get to see the girls shine so bright and beautiful onstage in their dresses.”
The pageant is a fun event for the students who participate and is about more than just winning. This event embodies confidence and positivity for young women.
“To get up on stage, or even signing up for the pageant takes tons of confidence,” Jennings said. “Hopefully everyone leaves the pageant feeling encouraged and with a boost of confidence in themselves because it is such an amazing experience, and it is only meant to build girls up.”
The Parade of Beauties continues to grow with more girls wanting to participate each year. Students who do not participate have begun to look forward to the event as well, even just to watch.
“Next year, I hope to see continued growth and that more girls will return to do the pageant again,” Schmelzer said. “Last year we had our first four-year participant, and this year we had four four-year participants. I am so proud of these girls that have done the pageant all four years while in high school. I would love to see this number grow as girls see this as a valuable, rewarding and fun experience.”
The Parade of Beauties is open to all students. It is a great opportunity to get involved in something fun at Oxford High School.
“I would say to look forward to the fun experience,” Lafont said. “As it is a great opportunity to bond with new people instead of thinking it is competition.”
