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NATCHEZ – Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi (EPRNM) District VI is hosting a pageant featuring three girls who will show their poise and talent and help raise funds to support the district’s scholarship fund.

The pageant will be held Saturday, April 12 at 5 p.m. at Zion Chapel AME Church 228 Martin Luther King, Jr. Road.

The contestants include:

Little Miss Drailyn Michelle Buckles

Sponsor: Dr. Nia T. Day

Drailyn is a 6-year-old native of Natchez. She is a scholar in kindergarten at Jefferson County Elementary School. Her parents are Deontae and Ja’Keisha Shepherd Buckles. Drailyn is  the granddaughter of David and Gretchen Buckles and Barbara Ann Shepherd and the late Jerry Shepherd, Jr. She is an only child. She misses her pet cat Sox and her pet dog Blackie, which are no longer with her. Drailyn loves to sing, play with her toys, travel, and spend time with her family. She participates in the annual Jefferson County Cheer Camp and would someday like to be a cheerleader at Jefferson County High School. She attends Jefferson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Drailyn aspires to become a pediatric nurse. Her auntie, Nia Day, is teaching her piano.

Little Miss Sage Gabrielle Ware

Sponsor: Mrs. Anna Laura Tillage

Sage is a 7-year-old native of Natchez. She is a scholar in the first grade at Susie B. West Elementary School. Her parents are Gervoni and Sharnise Ware. Her grandparents are Patrick and Sharon Woods, and Brad and Neka Ware. Sage has four brothers, two sisters, and a Yorkie named Joey. She likes to spend time with her siblings and turn cartwheels for fun. She also enjoys praise dancing and ballet. She aspires to be a gymnast like Simone Biles. Sage attends Zion Hill #1 Baptist Church.

Little Miss Jordynn Michelle Washington

Sponsor: Dr. Hazel Washington

Jordynn is a 7-year-old native of Ferriday, Louisiana. She is a first-grade scholar at Instant Impact Global Prep. Her parents are Jasmine Hillyard and Mitchell Washington. Her maternal grandparents are Shirley Hillyard and the late Johnny Stewart, Jr. Jordynn’s paternal grandparents are Wilbur and Hazel Washington. She has one brother Jay Ceion, and one sister Mia. Coloring, dancing, and playing outside are her favorite things to do. Jordynn is a cheerleader for Instant Impact Global Prep, MS Charter School, and a Pearlette in the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. youth group. She is also a youth gleaner in the Order of the Eastern Star. She attends St. Mark Baptist Church in Clayton, Louisiana. She aspires to be a doctor someday. Jordynn loves to help others, loves God, and learning new things. She says she is excited to be a part of this contest.

EPRNM, named for Eliza Farish Pillars, the first African-American nurse appointed to the Mississippi State Department of Health, comprises six geographical districts. District VI represents Natchez and the Miss Lou area. The organization is dedicated to excellence in health care. The pageant is open to the public.