Cat Murphy was crowned 2026 Miss St. James at the 93rd annual Grape and Fall Festival queen pageant, on Thursday, Sept. 10 in the Nelson Hart Park Community Hall. Murphy was also voted Miss Congeniality by her pageant peers, and won the judge’s award for best interview.

Murphy, a Senior at St. James High School, is the daughter of Kimberly and Sean Murphy. She was sponsored by Fire House Coffee Shop. Murphy is an upcoming drum major for St. James High School’s marching band. She enjoys music, art, photography, cooking, journaling and volunteering.

This year, pageant directors opened the pageant to contestants of any age, and added an expanded number of divisions. In all, there were 11 titles handed out including Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Petite Miss, Young Miss, Mini Miss, Pre-Teen Miss, Junior Miss, Elegant Miss, Jr. Teen Miss, and Miss St. James, plus awards for congeniality, best talent, best interview, and a photogenic winner.

Each of the eleven contestants in this year’s pageant was crowned in at least one category.

Dallas Lorts, age 4, was awarded Tiny Miss St. James. She is the daughter of Courtney and Dylan Lorts and was sponsored by Hutto Concrete and Land Services. Lorts enjoys reading, singing, playing dress-up and showing her bottle calf.

Karsyn Swyers, 3, was crowned Little Miss St. James. She is the daughter of Tommy and Morgan Swyers and was sponsored by LJ Construction and Co. LLC. Swyers loves to eat and has been described as the “CEO of snacktime.” Swyers also enjoys going on adventures and telling people about Jesus.

Willa O’Connor, 4, was awarded the title of Petite Miss St. James. She is the daughter of Crystal and Nick O’Connor. She was sponsored by Willa’s Meadow. O’Connor enjoys spending time outside in the garden around her family’s farm, helping feed the animals, swimming and being sassy.

Charlee Hance, 5, was crowned Young Miss St. James. She is the daughter of Arthur Lee and Jordan Hance. She was sponsored by Hance Construction and Excavating. Charlee’s interests are dancing, baby dolls, playing outside, and spending time with her cousins.

Lilah Jane Wood, 7, won the title of Mini Miss St. James. She is the daughter of Shelbey Stites and David Wood, and was sponsored by Choices for People.

Aurora Prawitz, 13, was awarded Pre-Teen Miss St. James. She is the daughter of AJ and Patrick Prawitz. She was sponsored by Cozie Corner Crochet. Prawitz’s interests include singing, theatre and cheer.

Marlee Sommerville, 13, was awarded the Junior Miss St. James crown. She is the daughter of Grace and Cliff Sommerville and was sponsored by The Razor’s Edge. Sommerville’s interests include gymnastics, cheer, swimming, and being with friends. Somerville also enjoys donating and volunteering her time.

Heather Black Frayer, 48, was crowned Elegant Miss St. James. Frayer was sponsored by LaRee’s Kawaii World DIY. Frayer is a singer who is currently producing a record. Frayer enjoys volunteering for St. Jude, and raising awareness for pediatric cancer and foster care. Her other interests include performing in and creating crafts for musical theater productions.

Aven Nichols, 14, was awarded Jr. Teen Miss St. James, and is the daughter of Andrew and Katie Nichols and Eric and Sammi Albrect. Nichols was sponsored by Nichols Cattle Company. Nichols serves as the secretary for her 4-H chapter.  Nichols also enjoys showing cattle, softball, seeing her friends and family.

Adrianne Prawitz, 18, was awarded Teen Miss St. James. She is the daughter or AJ and Patrick Prawitz and was sponsored by Bower and Sons LLC. Prawitz’ interests include mathematics, science, and architectural engineering. She likes crocheting, reading, and her skills include singing and acting.

Judges for the pageant included Minnie Simpson, Birdie Frisbie and Amber Fain.

Krista Kelly and Angel Reeves served as directors for this year’s Queen Pageant. Reeves has been helping organize pageants for over 30 years. She is certified in Early Childhood Education and has worked as a teacher. She has also served as a cheerleading coach sine 1997.

Kelly has worked as a pageant coordinator and judge for pageants across mid-Missouri. Kelly loves event planning and volunteerism.

Both Kelly and Reeves said that this year, they were excited to expand the pageant categories to more age groups, give out more awards, and think outside the box when it comes to planning the event, which is now nearly a century old.