Mr. & miss juneteenth
2026 scholarship pageant
2026 Contestants
Bryce balances academics with a wide range of interests and talents. He plays football and basketball, enjoys music, and expresses his creativity through art, including painting and drawing. Bryce also plays the guitar and loves video games and building things, showcasing his curiosity and hands-on approach to learning.
A proud member of the NAACP and the Kappa League, Bryce is committed to leadership, teamwork, and community involvement, making him a well-rounded and inspiring young leader both on and off the stage.
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Chase is a well-rounded student known for his creativity, strong academics, and friendly personality. A straight A–B student, he has earned Honor Roll recognition multiple times, is an AIG student, and is a proud member of the Guide Honors Chorus. He is actively involved in his school through CIA (Cougars In Action), where he contributes to school spirit and service.
In his free time, Chase enjoys video games, editing videos, skateboarding, anime, and reading, and he also likes soccer and basketball. He values spending time with friends and family and is known for being great at making friends, with a creative and positive energy that shines both in and out of the classroom.
Ja’Riah is a honor student, athlete, and emerging young entrepreneur, as well as a proud twin and one of five siblings. She maintains straight A’s and serves as a basketball team captain, exemplifying leadership, discipline, and determination both in the classroom and on the court.
From a young age, Ja’Riah has been actively involved in sports, including cheerleading, softball, volleyball, and basketball. Over time, basketball became her primary passion, where she continues to excel through commitment, teamwork, and resilience. In addition to school athletics, Ja’Riah plays competitively in an AAU basketball league, allowing her to travel, visit college campuses, and compete at a higher level. Through these experiences, she has met influential leaders in the sport, including attending a summer basketball camp led by Dawn Staley, further motivating her goals as a student-athlete.
Beyond academics and athletics, Ja’Riah is also a young entrepreneur. She founded her own baked goods brand, Riah Sands, which has become popular among her peers and reflects her creativity, work ethic, and growing confidence.
Ja’Riah has a deep love for animals, especially dogs, and finds peace and joy caring for the fish in her aquarium. She is also deeply committed to service and civic engagement, having volunteered countless hours with organizations such as Woke Vote, Black Voters Matter, and Unfiltered Dreams, supporting food drives, clothing drives, and voter education efforts focused on African American history and civic awareness.
An active youth member of the NAACP, Ja’Riah also serves on her church’s Praise Dance Team, an experience that allows her to express her faith through movement.
Once naturally shy, Ja’Riah is now confidently finding her voice and place in the world. Through her dedication to academics, athletics, entrepreneurship, service, and faith, she continues to grow into a well-rounded young leader with a bright and promising future.
Honoring Excellence. Celebrating Freedom. Empowering Youth.
The 2026 Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant celebrates a remarkable group of young leaders who exemplify excellence, cultural pride, and purpose. Rooted in the historical significance of Juneteenth, the pageant uplifts youth who are committed to leadership, service, and personal growth while honoring African American history and heritage.
Throughout the pageant experience, contestants participate in meaningful opportunities that strengthen confidence, integrity, and leadership development. Through education, mentorship, and community connection, participants gain skills that support academic achievement, civic responsibility, and lifelong growth.
Each contestant brings a unique voice, perspective, and passion, contributing to a collective celebration of freedom, resilience, and empowerment. Together, they represent the continued legacy of Juneteenth through leadership grounded in service, integrity, and excellence.
Ja’Ron is a scholar-athlete and one of five children born to his parents, Robert and Tyesha Sanders. He is a proud twin and is known for balancing strong academics with a love for athletics. From a young age, Ja’Ron has demonstrated a natural talent and passion for sports. He began with baseball, excelling in pitching and catching, and also enjoys basketball. Football, however, has always been his true passion. Wearing jersey number 21, Ja’Ron played a key role in helping his Panthers Youth Football teams earn two division championships, showcasing dedication, discipline, and teamwork throughout his athletic journey. As he has aged out of certain youth leagues, he continues to pursue athletics with pride and commitment.
Beyond sports, Ja’Ron is actively involved in community service and civic engagement. He has volunteered with Woke Vote, Black Voters Matter, and Unfiltered Dreams, supporting food drives, clothing drives, and voter education efforts. He is also an active youth member of the NAACP, reflecting his commitment to leadership, community empowerment, and social responsibility.
In his free time, Ja’Ron enjoys helping his father breed American Bullies, learning responsibility and animal care. He also has a deep appreciation for horses and nature—interests that have grounded him since childhood.
Ja’Ron is a motivated young leader whose passion for sports, service, and community continues to shape a promising future.
Kaleigh has a heart for service and a passion for creativity, movement, and leadership. Inspired from a young age by her mother’s commitment to giving back, Kaleigh has participated in community walks supporting autism awareness, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and the Kidney Foundation. She is a model with Bornatty, an organization dedicated to making a meaningful community impact through initiatives such as feeding the homeless, clothing drives, and runway events that support various causes. Kaleigh also volunteers at A+ Learning Academy and actively serves her community through faith and leadership.
In her free time, she enjoys painting, running track, and praise dancing at her church. A proud member of the NAACP, Kaleigh values her faith and strives to use her talents to uplift others. She aspires to attend college and major in Communications, where she hopes to use her voice to inspire, inform, and connect communities.
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Kennedy is a dedicated student, she balances her academics with her passion for competition cheerleading and gymnastics.
Though often quiet, Kennedy’s playful sense of humor brings joy to everyone around her. In her free time, she enjoys exploring TikTok, listening to music, and traveling to new places. She treasures spending quality time with family and friends, and her sharp observation skills and attention to detail shine both in school and in all her extracurricular pursuits.
Layla is a bright light whose warmth and positivity leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Quirky, intelligent, funny, honest, and deeply caring, she is known for her ability to connect with others and lead with kindness. Headstrong and determined, Layla strives to be the best version of herself in all that she does.
She enjoys playing volleyball, watching anime, drawing, and spending time with friends and family. Layla is a proud member of the NAACP and was recently inducted into the Top Teens organization, where she looks forward to growing as a leader while serving her community. An honor roll student, she aspires to attend STEM high school and pursue a future in science, with dreams of becoming a marine biologist.
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Timothy is a vibrant and outgoing young individual with a passion for creativity, performance, and community. A dedicated student with a 4.0 GPA, Timothy balances academics with work, athletics, and a variety of extracurricular activities.
He enjoys expressing himself through poetry, story writing, and singing, and has a love for musical theatre and analyzing film and television. An active athlete, Timothy competes in both spring and winter track, and he also cherishes spending time in nature, traveling, reading, and meeting new people.
Timothy is committed to serving others, regularly volunteering at his church and participating in community events such as the local Back to School event, Father’s Day celebrations, school fall festivals, middle school dances, and toy drives. His determination, confidence, and hardworking nature inspire those around him, making him a well-rounded and remarkable candidate both on and off the stage.