Little Miss Fine Arts Club crowned Saturday night

Seeking a social outlet to spice up the monotony of home, school, and church life, six professional women met in the home of the late Pauline Fisher on February 29, 1963, to form The Fine Arts Club of Atlanta. The organization not only involves itself in civic activities but focuses on helping community youth outside of the classroom.

Those six charter members at the time were: Pauline Fisher, Leola Booth, Ruby Bassett, Geraldine Wiley, Millie B. Davis, and Corine Harper. They left a monumental legacy, which later members their honor.

The club motto, “Lifting As We Climb,” was chosen as the club’s inspiration to help others; blue and white were selected as the club colors.

Part of the club’s purpose is to promote cultural and educational opportunities; each year scholarships are awarded to several graduating seniors from area high schools.

In 1981, the club presented the first Little Miss Fine Arts Revue to raise funds for scholarship awards. The first scholarship was awarded to Ozenia Banks in the amount of $40.00. In the years since, they have been able to give four $1,000.00 scholarships: two to Atlanta High School graduates; one each to Queen City and Linden- Kildare High School graduates.

The pageant has been presented every year until 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to forego the annual event. That year they only managed to give one small monetary scholarship.

Last Saturday night, the club was able to resume the scholarship fundraiser after two years away. The event was held at the First Baptist Church Life Center on Allday Street.

The four contestants and their sponsors were: Keimorra Simmons, sponsored by Patricia Collins and Wanda Jordan; Cedar Ramsey, escorted by River Ramsey and sponsored by Lutreasa Jackson and Juanita Robertson; Katelyn Russell, escorted by Kaigen Lloyd and sponsored by Velma King and Gwendolyn Anderson; Mackenzie Horsley, escorted by Nasir Harris and sponsored by Paula Frazier and Barbara Davis.

The contestants and escorts performed a group dance, followed by the talent competition.

Crowned as the 2022 Little Miss Fine Arts Queen was Little Miss Katelyn Chanel Russell; First Runner-up was Keimorra Simmons; second runner-up was Cedar Ramsey; third runner-up was Mackenzie Horsley.

Club members dedicated the pageant to the memory of their faithful and dedicated member, Raphaelle D. Huckaby, who fought a good fight until her journey ended on July 10, 2022. She is missed every day but will forever be in the hearts of her beloved club sisters.

The members would like to express their gratitude to the parents, family members, friends, participants and everyone that donated their time to make the pageant a success.