Richmond County teens to compete in Marlboro Academy pageant

BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. — Three students from Richmond County are vying for the crown in the 2025 Miss Marlboro Academy Pageant this weekend.

Audrey Graves, Reese Clemmons and Carley Gulledge are among the 12 contestants from the region for the pageant, which also includes students from Scotland and Marlboro counties.

They are the daughters of Luke and Joy Graves of Rockingham, Jon and Heather Clemmons of Rockingham and Mark and Felisia Gulledge of Hamlet, respectively.

The other contestants are:

• Aurelia-Faulkner Russell, daughter of John and Sharon Ridge of Laurinburg;
• Carlea Herring, daughter of Ed and Carla Herring of Laurinburg;
• Anna Weslin Stubbs, daughter of Todd and Tracie Stubbs of Bennettsville;
• Anna Claire Barrington, daughter of Meredith Atkinson and Lance Barrington of Bennettsville;
• Shelby Helms, daughter of Mackie and Mary Helms of Bennettsville; and
• Abby Kate Leggett, daughter of Ron and Gina Leggett of Laurinburg.

All contestants are in grades 9-12 at the private South Carolina school.

The theme for this year’s pageant is Barbie, and music from the 2023 film will be featured in the event.

Pageant producer/directors are Rae Evers, Denise Jones and Alexa Boan, with Courtney Odom as choreographer, and Miss South Carolina 2022 Jill Dudley as mistress of ceremonies.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday in the school’s gymnasium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.