Features Editor

Sara Newland has always loved a small town and she can think of no small town – or town of any size – that she would rather represent than Brundidge.

The Pike Liberal Arts School senior was crowned Miss Brundidge at the annual pageant Saturday night and will represent Pike County’s second largest city during 2002 and at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan in the fall.

Sara received a $1,000 scholarship from the Brundidge Business Association, sponsor of the pageant, and, although she is very appreciative of the boost to her education fund, that is secondary to the opportunities the title brings.

"Getting to meet new people and be involved in all of the activities in Brundidge will be exciting," Sara said. "I’m looking forward to representing Brundidge. I know this will be an experience I’ll always remember."

Sara said she likes the small town atmosphere of Brundidge and the friendliness of the people.

Brundidge, also known as Antique City, is the perfect place for Sara to represent because she is an antique buff who likes "unique things that not everybody else has."

"I always look forward to the Peanut Butter Festival because it’s so much fun," she said. "Brundidge is a small town but there is always something going on and that’s why I think it will be so much fun to really be involved. I didn’t get to see the play they had a couple of weeks ago,

but I’ve heard a lot about it and wish I had seen it. It’s exciting to be a part of town where people are doing so many different things."

The new Miss Brundidge keeps busy with school work and activities and an after-school job.

She works at a local tanning salon and has gotten bitten by the business bug there.

After graduation, she plans to attend Troy State University and pursue a degree in business.

"One day, I would like to have my own business, probably a tanning salon," Sara said, with a smile.

Somewhere down the road, Sara would like to visit the place of her birth, Germany.

"My dad was in the army and I was born in Germany," she said. "We left when I was 2 years old and I would just like to go back – to visit."

Until those days of owning a business and traveling across the ocean, Sara will be content learning more about the community she will represent and taking a little time off to do some fishing.

Other winners in the Miss Brundidge and Little Miss Brundidge pageant were:

Miss Brundidge – Marie Thompson, first runner-up; Meredith Griffin, second runner-up; and Heather Taylor, third runner-up.

Little Miss Brundidge – Katie Barbaree, winner; Lexi Price, first runner-up; Chelsey Barbaree, second runner-up; and LaKendra Jones, third runner-up.

Petite Miss Brundidge – Rebecca Brown, winner; Megan Brumbaugh, first runner-up; Harlie Minks, second runner-up; and Tristen Bilbrey, third runner-up.

Young Miss Brundidge, Michaela Bilbrey.

Junior Miss Brundidge – Eden Harris, winner; Shelby Catrett, first runner-up; Cera Adkins, second runner-up; Molly Estes, third runner-up; Garah Sutton, fourth runner-up.

Teen Miss Brundidge – Ashton Estes, winner; Gena Barbaree, first runner-up; Melody Rodgers, second runner-up; and Hannah Hixon, third runner-up.

Miss Photogenic- Katie Barbaree, 5 -10 year-old division, and Marie Thompson, 11 years and up division.

The Miss Spirit Awards were presented to Megan Brumbaugh and Dana Allen.