It’s been three years since young ladies stood before a grandstand full of spectators in a competition for the title of Mini Miss Colusa County.
Whitney Traynham, 13, of Colusa, won the crown on June 8, but all seven contestants walked away winners after being judged on talent, communication skills, visual poise, and personal interview.
The interview portion of the competition was held earlier and counted for 25 percent of the contestants’ overall score, according to Guy Gomes, who assumed the role of pageant master of ceremonies from longtime announcer Jim Lemos.
Traynham is the daughter of Don and Jen Traynham. Her father escorted her on stage.
While talent counted just 25 percent of her total score, Traynham’s huge voice and performance of “Popular,” from the musical “Wicked,” impressed the audience and judges so much that she also earned the overall Talent Award for scoring the highest number of points in the stage arts category, and an individual achievement award for the that portion of the competition.
Seven girls from throughout the county vied for the crown.
Colusa’s Reese Cunningham, 11, was crowned first runner-up, and will fill in as Mini Miss on official duties in Traynham’s absence. Yaretzi Martinez, 11, was second runner-up.
Cunningham is the daughter of Matt Vedo and Britney Cunningham. She was escorted on stage by her step-grandfather Craig Womble.
Cunningham’s talent was a monologue as Templeton the rat, from “Charlotte’s Web,” who makes a glutton of himself at the County Fair. In addition to being named first runner-up, Cunningham received an individual award for personal interview.
Martinez is the daughter of Joe and Brizia Martinez’, of Colusa. While she received an individual award for her communication skills, Martinez hip hop dance routine was a knockout performance that was cheered by the audience. Martinez was escorted on stage by her father.
Sophia Oliveros, who turned 11 the day before the competition, is the daughter of Martin and Amelia Oliveros, of Arbuckle. Her talent was an original story entitled “Carmela.” She earned an individual award for personal interview, the category in which she scored the highest.
Jadyn Karlonas, 12, is the daughter of Jeremiah and Jessica Karlonas, of Williams. She performed a contemporary dance and earned her individual award for visual poise.
Carlie Charter, 11, is the daughter of Garrett and Sarah Charter. She danced for the talent portion of competition and earned her individual award for visual poise.
Leyla Avera, 11, is the daughter of David and Christy Avera. She did a dance routine that earned her an individual award for talent.
Traynham, who was voted by the other contestants for the Friendship Award – a mini version of Miss Congeniality – for being the most fun to be around at practice and at Mini Miss events, began her duties immediately. She attended the Colusa County Fair grand opening on Thursday. She also performed her talent at the Miss Colusa County pageant and helped crown winner Chasey Miller.
Her official duties include attending community events and promoting the fair throughout the year.
Traynham was crowned by Caden Agnew, 14, the longest-reigning Mini Miss in Colusa County history.
Agnew was just 11 when she won the competition in 2019, which was the last Colusa County fair before the two-year pandemic.
“I’m your not so Mini Miss or – as my mom likes to say – a Maxi Miss,” said Agnew, who gave a touching farewell speech before crowning her successor. ■