"It was an amazing day," Missouri Angel's Pageant organizer Teresa Bradshaw said of the event. "Everyone enjoyed it and kept thanking us for everything we did. They all want to come back next year."
The Missouri Angel's Pageant was held Oct. 21 at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the Three Rivers College campus in Poplar Bluff. An Angel's Pageant is for individuals of all ages with any type of special need.
Originally, 38 angels signed up to participate in the pageant, but according to Bradshaw, for different reasons all were not able to attend and one angel passed away two days before the pageant.
"That was truly heartbreaking," she said.
Each of the 32 participants who were able to attend received a crown and were able to experience their own special moment on stage.
Ladies were on hand to provide hair, make-up and painted nails all free of charge.
"They (the angels) got to ride in a limousine," Bradshaw said. "We gave them all the royal treatment!"
Bradshaw said two ladies helped make all this possible; Teryl Smith and Kayla Mattingly.
Decorations for the pageant were donated by the Qulin Middle School Art Department.
"They were made for Qulin kindergarten graduation and school teacher Casie Fordham knew we were having Dr. Suess as our theme so they gladly gave them to us," Bradshaw said.
The statement on the sign, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out," fit perfectly, Bradshaw said.
Miss Missouri Jennifer Davis and Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen Heleena Haberer were on hand to assist with crowning and meet all the angels.
Bradshaw said everyone loved meeting the two queens during the pageant.
"They were so kind and loving to our angels and made them all feel so special," she said.
Bradshaw described when she saw all the smiles on the angel's faces as well as their families as one of the most rewarding moments of the day.
"I saw the pride in their parent's eyes to see their child do something they never thought they would have the opportunity to do," she said.