Three area young women were honored in the 2008 Miss Leaf River Valley Scholarship Pageant, held Saturday night at Petal High School’s Performing Arts Center.

Preliminary Winners in the Teen Division included: Oak Grove’s Noel Anderson (interview and talent), and Sumrall’s Amanda Carole Emerson (active wear).

Preliminary winners in the Miss LRV Division included: Seminary’s Amarette Aube (interview), Oak Grove’s Nicole Bellare (swimsuit), and Southern Miss student Kristen Turnage (talent).

Final winners in the teen division were Oak Grove’s Tai Applewhite, first alternate; Amanda Carol Emerson – Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding Teen East; and the competition’s only double preliminary winner Noel Anderson, Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding Teen West.

In the Miss LRV Division, Kristen Turnage was named second alternate; and Nicole Bellare was selected as first alternate. Ole Miss coed Amarette Aube was crowned 2008 Miss Leaf River Valley.

All three scholarship winners will represent Covington, Forrest, Greene, Lamar and Perry counties at the Miss Mississippi Pageant state finals in Vicksburg.

The Miss LRV Pageant is produced by the Leaf Foundation and is an official franchise holder for the Miss America Pageant.