Ms. Desiree King is 2010 Ms. St. Paul DIVA Queen The 2010 Ms. St. Paul AME DIVA Pageant took place on July 24 at St. Paul AME Chruch.

Ms. Desiree King became the 2010 Ms. St. Paul DIVA Queen and Ms. Congeniality.

She was crowned by Ms. DIVA 2009 Ms. Janie Davis.

Mrs. Henrietta Spearman was the first runner up, Ms. LaToya Holliday was the second runner-up, and Ms. Sandra Jefferson was the third runnerup.

Ms. Self Expression and Ms. Evangelism was awarded to Mrs. LaToya Holliday and Ms. Talent was awarded to Ms. Henrietta Spearman.

Ms. Personality was awarded to Ms. Sandra Jefferson and the Best Evening Gown Award went to Ms. Denise Thomas.

Ms. Jr. Diva 2010 was Daesha Brooks and the runnerup was CorRynisha Bergen, awarded Best Dressed and Most Talented.

“The night was fun and rewarding to the community at large,” Rev. Idotha Battle said. “It was enjoyed by all who attended,” she added.

MS. DIVA PAGEANT — The Rev. Phea Kenedy, center, is pictured with contestants and winners, LaToya Holliday, second runner-up; Desiree King, Ms. Diva; Kenedy, Daesha Brooks, Jr. Ms. Diva; Mrs. Henrietta Spearman, first runner-up, and Mrs. Sandra Jefferson, third runner-up. “If you missed this year’s performance please look for it on your local KING TV 69 CMA cable, filmed by Mr. Benny Guerra,” Rev. Battle said.

The panel of judges included: Minister Betty M. Gaddis, served as the Chief judge; Reverend James H. Gaddis, a native of Leeds, Ala.; Ode Moreno, KISD administrator; Roel Gonzalez, Curriculum Director for Brooks County ISD; Mrs. Kay Harper Loftis, a city volunteer and active member of King Star Baptist Church; Mr. Tomas Sanchez, Emergency Management Co- ordinator for Kleberg County.

Participants fund raising for the pageant included candidates Rita Simmons, Sandra Jefferson, Henrietta Spearman, Desiree King, Denise Thomas, LaToya Holliday, Daesha Brooks, and CorRynisha Bergen.

Rita is an active member of St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the president of the Stewardess Board, vice president of the Lay Organization and a member of the Christian Education Board.

Sandra is an active member of the St. Paul AME church and is serving as Chief Steward to Pastor Idotha Battle. Sandra is also a former Chief of Campus Police at TAMUK.

Henrietta is an active member of St. Paul AME church and presently serves as the Vice President of the Stewardess board, and the Chairman of the hospitality committee.

Desiree is an active member of St. Paul AME for many years. Currently she is the secretary to Pastor Idotha Battle and a steward and class leader.

Denise is a new member of St. Paul AME church and is working hard at developing a choir.

LaToya is a member of St. Paul and is currently serving as the YPD Director and Lay Organization Secretary.

Daesha is a sixth grader at Gillette Intermediate School and an active member at St. Paul AME church. She dreams of becoming a criminal lawyer.

CorRynisha is an eighth grader at Memorial Middle School and an active member at St. Paul AME church. She dreams of becoming a cardiac specialist.