Ms. Butte County’s New Royal Court

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The sparkling gowns and tiaras of the Miss Butte County Scholarship Program (MBCSP) was the first major event of the 2023 Butte County Fair.

A total of nine contestants vied for a title within the program, three in the Missette category, four competing for Miss Teen, and only two fighting for the Miss Butte County crown.

As tradition dictates, part of the judging took place before the program, which included a 5-minute interview for the Missette contestants, a 7-minute interview for the older girls, and a review of a resume submitted to judges. On stage, the ladies introduced themselves to the crowd and judges panel, sharing their interests and answering impromptu questions, along with performing a number with the 2022-2023 queens and runners-up.

During the show, Alyssa Tomlinson announced she was stepping down as director before her successor was announced. Tomlinson said that the most rewarding part of being director was watching the advancement of those in the program. “The growth that they show over one year is amazing!”

Ms. Raina Wright-Reynolds was introduced as the new head of the program. She has participated as a contestant in the MBCSP, beginning in 2006, and earned the title of Miss Congeniality in 2010 and 2013. Wright-Reynolds served as Tomlinson’s assistant director and says that she is incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead.  Wright-Reynolds says, “the biggest thing I gained out of it (MBCSP) was the ‘service above self’ to the community of Butte County and building life-long skills.” Therefore, her goal for the royal court of 2023 is to accomplish as much community service as possible and to shine a new light on the program itself.

As for the titleholders and runners-up that comprise the MBCSP, she says they have already completed about a quarter of their required community service hours since crowned and won’t stop there. “These title holders jumped right into it,” says Wright-Reynolds and continues that “this group of girls, they are phenomenal. They are so kind and generous,” and as for stepping into their new roles, “they just went for it and loved it.”

Wright-Reynolds told the Herald that her royal court deserved to be the focus of this article. “Each and every one of these title holders have a warm, golden heart,” says Wright-Reynolds and shared the unofficial motto of the MBCSP, “It’s not about the crown on your head; It’s about the crown on your heart.”

So that the public can get to know the royal court a little better, Reynolds is putting up small bios on the MBCSP Facebook page. Miss Butte County, Makayla Mellinger was first, and it was shared that her personal motto is “Leave a little sparkle wherever you go.” Mellinger was not only crowned Miss Butte County but received the Betsy Award. The recipient is chosen by the contestants themselves in honor of Betsy Oliver, who impacted the program with her kindness and caring nature. Wright-Reynolds claims she was “our own miss congeniality in our own way.”

Of her new title, Mellinger says, “Being crowned Miss Butte County is such an amazing opportunity to make an impact in the community. When I was little, I remember how much I looked up to people such as Queens of the community, and I am excited to have the opportunity to be that for today’s youth. It is so much more than a sparkly crown and title; It is the chance to make a real difference. As Miss Butte County I hope to build up children’s confidence so that they have the courage to reach their full potential, as well as make sure they know we support all of them in everything they do! The program has taught me so much about confidence and allows me the ability to grow as a leader and role model. I am so excited for the future to come!”

Wright-Reynolds is looking forward to a glorious year with what she believes to be an outstanding group of girls. In such a short amount of time since their crowning, Wright-Reynolds says that her court has proven that that they “have giant queen crowns on their heart.”