The Miss Butte County Scholarship Program 2026 Royal Court was installed on the first night of the Butte County Fair. From left are Missette Butte County second runner-up Miyesha Cottrell, Miss Teen Butte County Grace Emerson, Missette Butte County River Nichols, Miss Butte County first runner-up Ava Hultz, Miss Butte County Emily Danner, Miss Butte County second runner-up Alexis Wroten, Missette Butte County second runner-up Elin Faulkner and Miss Teen Butte County first runner-up Alyssa Mangan. Photo courtesy of Point Roan Photography

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Ten contestants took to the Courtyard Stage on opening night of the Butte County Fair, Thursday, Aug. 27, as part of the Miss Butte County Scholarship Program’s yearly competition.

The evening’s featured entertainment began with a performance choreographed by Angelica Gomer of Transitions Dance Center. Following that, the competition immediately moved into the speech portion.

Miss Butte County Scholarship Program Director Raina Wright-Reynolds said each age division spoke on a different theme. Missette contestants’ theme was “The Me I Am Proud to Be,” while Miss Teen contestants spoke on the theme of “Growing into the Person I Want to Be.”

Miss Teen Butte County Grace Emerson, left, Miss Butte County Emily Danner and Missette Butte County River Nichols celebrate after being crowned at the Butte County Fair. Photo courtesy of Point Roan Photography

The five Miss Butte County contestants were asked to speak on their community service platforms.

“While we do not require our newly appointed Miss Court to complete their service platform, it is encouraged,” said Wright-Reynolds.

During the “Presentation of Skills” portion of the competition, contestants performed a variety of skills, including a recreation of “Sing,” a self-defense skit from the movie “Miss Congeniality,” a presentation on archery and “From Blueprint to Reality,” a presentation teaching the crowd about the process of building design.

The skills portion was followed by impromptu questions tailored to each contestant and based on information from the previous weekend’s interview portion.

Wright-Reynolds said the program tried something new, experimenting with a fundraising idea that relied on audience participation.

“For the first time, we hosted a fundraiser during our competition called People’s Choice,” said Wright-Reynolds. “While it had no bearing on the overall competition scores, our program was able to raise just short of $1,000 for the contestants and our program.”

Wright-Reynolds said she is always looking for sponsors for the program’s scholarships and that the goal is to provide more than $7,000 in scholarships and awards to those in the scholarship program.

Miss Butte County Emily Danner, left, and Miss Teen Butte County Grace Emerson display awards earned for their animal projects at the Butte County Fair. Photo courtesy of Cheyenne Erickson

After the competition, the 2026 royal court got to work assisting where needed around the fairgrounds, supporting BCF staffers, aiding in grandstand events and helping during the Jr. Livestock Auction.

Members of the royal court not only helped but found themselves the center of attention again as they actively showed and then sold their animals.

“Our court also succeeded outside the crown,” said Wright-Reynolds. “Notably, Elin and River were very successful at the Livestock Auction with Elin’s hog and River’s rabbits. Grace Emerson, Miss Teen Butte County, amongst many other awards and achievements, won Small Animal Round Robin Master Showman for 4-H as a Butte County Ambassador. Emily Danner, Miss Butte County, won many awards including Small Animal FFA Round Robin Master Showman representing Gridley FFA.”

Wright-Reynolds is looking forward to a fantastic year with the newly crowned court but said all those who participated were destined for greatness.

“Regardless of how they place within the program, every one of these kids will go on to do big things,” said Wright-Reynolds.