Soundappan crowned Miss Houston County High School

Nivedha Soundappan was crowned Miss Houston County High School 2016 at the school's 23rd annual pageant held March 19 in the Houston County High School theater.

Nivedha won the interview, evening gown and optional talent category. A junior at Houston County High School, Nivedha is a member of the History Club, BETA Club, French Club, Honors Society, National Honors Society, Pep Club and tennis team. She is active in the FBLA and is serving as state secretary. Last year she served as FBLA's Region 5 president.

The Miss Houston County High School pageant is sponsored by the Houston County High band and is a fundraiser for the band. Erin Sullivan, co-owner of Peacocks Performing Arts Academy, served as director, and Elaine Pritchard acted as pageant coordinator. Special performances during the evening included the Houston County High Trumpet Ensemble and ROTC Color Guard, 2015 Miss HCHS Bree Wight, 2016 Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen Grace Thomas, and the Peacocks Performing Arts Competition Team. Tess Hammock, Miss Warner Robins, kept the crowd engaged all night as emcee.

"On behalf of the HOCO band, we would also like to thank the Houston County Sheriff's Office for traffic control, all of the local sponsors, businesses, and especially the many parent volunteers that helped with the production behind the scenes, donated food, supplies, and time to make the pageant a huge success," Pritchard said.

Other winners during the evening were:

First runner-up, Bobbie Melden; second runner-up, Lexi Cowan; casual wear, Jessi Crutchfield; top ticket sales award/top ad sales award/people's choice award, Mary Grace Moore; The Mrs. Edith Wilkins Spirit Award, Michelle Saiz; Miss Congeniality, Rebecca Horne; and Miss Photogenic, Briyonna Reid.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 9:53 PM with the headline "Soundappan crowned Miss Houston County High School ."