Your 2025 Miss Butte County Scholarship Program Royal Court pictured Left to right: Missette Butte County Paizlee Faulkner, Missette Butte County 1st Runner-Up LilliAnn Pannell, Missette Butte County 2nd Runner-Up River Nichols, Miss Teen Butte County 2nd Runner-Up Emily Danner, Miss Butte County 1st Runner-Up Alina Jackson, Miss Butte County Rajneet Kooner, Miss Teen Butte County Brianna Straws, Miss Teen Butte County 1st Runner-Up Nicolette Tonelli And Butte County Ambassador Sawyer Smith. Photo Courtesy of Teresa Bachellerie.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Ushering in the 2025 Butte County Fair, the Miss Butte County Scholarship Program Competition was held Thursday, Aug. 21.

Of the talented young women and men that vied for titles only nine would be selected to wear the sash and/or crowns.

This program has long been more than a pageant, but one of opportunity and service for those selected to join its ranks. Titleholders are immediately thrown into service, sometimes less than 24 hours after their crowning.

Members of the Miss Butte County Royal Court immediately start their service duties helping at the fairgrounds. Here they assist a Grange Reserve Champion banner winner member hold their swag after competition for a photo op. Photo by Raina Wright-Reynolds.

Program Director Raina Wright-Reynolds said that “by the end of Sunday, some of our court members have completed up to 21-hours of service.”

Raina Wright-Reynolds tells the Gridley Herald that the Friday royalty immediately began putting in service hours at the Peewee animal show for future exhibitors.

“A lot of people are shocked when they realize the time put into running this program, but I wouldn’t have it any other way because of the growth, kindness, generosity and professionalism I see out of every participant I interact with,” said Wright-Reynolds.

Part of the royal court, Miss Teen Butte County 1st Runner-Up Nicolette Tonelli and Missette Butte County 1st Runner-Up LilliAnn Pannel work at the Kid Zone during the Butte County Fair.

Members of the MBCSP court could be seen shining throughout the fairgrounds over the weekend, whether assisting with the free Kid Zone crafting or playing interactive games with local children or Peewee livestock show.

The court joined grandstand activities, lending a hand to help Old Glory shine during the national anthem as they, and other volunteers, unrolled and held a giant American Flag to begin events and getting an escort from the “pretty cars” during the destruction derby.

A substantial amount of time by all titleholders was dedicated to assisting local animal exhibitors during the junior livestock auction and Sale of Champions, held Saturday morning.

Wright-Reynolds shared that titleholders helped 4-H exhibitors serve food and water to the buyers, spent several hours running buyer numbers for FFA students to buyers and even hold winning banners and buckles for champion exhibitors.

Before the grandstand events, the Miss Butte County Royal Court and other volunteers helped carry and unfurl a giant American Flag in the arena, as seen in this picture.

Throughout their year of service, the MBCSP titleholders are only required to accrue 10-15 hours of community service hours but are often more dedicated and choose to attend anywhere from 35-50 events as representatives according to Wright-Reynolds.

Ambassador Sawyer Smith went as far to start his own community service project, “Puppy Love,” collecting a truckload of donations that went to the Butte Human Society.

“One of my greatest prides in this program is that, beyond a small commitment requirement, our court sets their own schedule.” Says Wright Reynolds. “Despite this, time and again, they choose to go above and beyond that call to serve.  These Kids don’t show up to events ‘because they have to’, they show up because they want to. Whether they realize it yet or not, they carry a true passion and calling for service above self.”