Alva Review-Courier -

Samantha Greer was crowned Miss Freedom 2016-17 on Saturday evening at Freedom Public Schools. Greer is the 17-year-old daughter of Bonnie and Robert Greer. She loves hunting quail and pheasant, fishing, cheerleading and spending time with her parents, sisters and dog, Peanut. She participates in cheerleading and FCCLA and has been on the Principal's Honor Roll.

Greer has worked since she was 10 years old; she has been a babysitter, ranch hand, motel housekeeper, and manager at KFC. Greer plans to attend college and study criminal justice to become a K-9 unit police officer.

The pageant was more of a showcase because there was just one senior girl; however Greer will be participating in Miss Cinderella in a few weeks and this pageant was an opportunity for Greer to practice and prepare. Two junior girls, Nicole Hughes and Yamila Galindo, participated as well to give them the same opportunity to prepare for their pageant next year. Hughes and Galindo participated in everything except the talent portion of the program.

There were three judges on hand for the interview and stage performances. Michelle Schroder, Estela Holguin and Ashley Strehl gave valuable feedback to Greer as well as Hughes and Galindo. Schroeder was Miss Freedom in 1968, and was named Miss Congeniality at the Miss Cinderella pageant the same year. Holguin was Miss Freedom in 2010 and participated in Miss Cinderella. Strehl was 2015's Miss Freedom and also participated in the Miss Cinderella pageant.

The evening was full of entertainment, like the Lil' Eagle Promenade where eight girls modeled their colorful and suitable pageant dresses. Their ages ranged from 4 to 10 years old. Taking their turns on stage were Paige Stearns, Anzlee Barke, Callie Hopper, Randi Shay and Reagan Rae Wilson, Brooke Denham, Cheyenne Benefield and Brittanna Barke..

Greer performed her talent, which was a comedic presentation called "The Monologue."

Other entertainment included a solo by Casey Luddington who sang "Long Black Train."

Strehl, who was the emcee, also sang the solo "I Enjoy Being a Girl." Strehl sang this selection at Miss Cinderella last year.

There was also a special presentation titled "Dudes of Freedom High School." Five boys and one girl, sophomores and juniors, took the stage in a sketch to parody the essence of a beauty pageant. It included Nathan Wood, Blake Lee, Dakota Stone, Casey Luddington, Angel Cardenas, and (the one real lady) Khrista McComb. The boys took the stage in evening gowns, heels and make-up while the young lady dressed in a suit, tie and a penciled mustache.

Katie Strehl

"The Dudes of Freedom High School" entertain the crowd with their parody of beauty pageants. From left are Dakota Stone (sophomore), Casey Luddington (sophomore), Khrista McComb (sophomore), Angel Cardenas (junior), Blake Lee (sophomore), and Nathan Wood (junior).

They owned the stage while parading to "Dude Looks like a Lady." Each character answered an interview question. For example, the emcee, Cameron Denham, asked Angel Cardenas, "If you had one wish, what would you wish for?" Angel answered," I wish I would have had time to shave (pointing to his face) ... my legs (not)." Another young man, Dakota Stone was asked, "What is your definition of happiness?" His answer: "Netflix and McDonald's." The finale was the "Dudes" dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies." With their laughter and applause, the crowd of 60 to 80 audience members seemed to enjoy the efforts of these dudes.

Patrons were asked to vote for their favorite dude by dropping spare change in individual canisters. The winners of the coin drive were Dakota Stone, who had the most change in weight, and Casey Luddington, who had the highest amount. Each student received a gift certificate. The coin drive made over $60. All proceeds went into the Miss Freedom account.