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Harlan County
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Welcomes you to the 71st Annual Poke Sallet Festival!
Miss Harlan County Pageant
Support local seniors as they vie for the crown, scholarship money, and title of Miss Harlan County! The Miss Harlan County Scholarship Pageant will take place on Tuesday June 2, 2026 at Harlan County High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the Pageant begins at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 3.
Addison Julianne Gray
Addison is representing Harlan County High School. Addison is the 18 year old daughter of Tiffany Gray. Her honors while in high school include being Miss Harlan County High School, the 2026 HC football queen, and was a 2026 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival attendant. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Beta Club where she served as chapter secretary. Addison was a five year member of the track and field team, ran cross country, and served as team manager and media director for the HC football team. She was inducted into the Frank Brittain Hall of Fame. Her hobbies include traveling the world with her family and reading American history and political thrillers. This fall she plans to attend Lincoln Memorial University and major in elementary education with a focus in special education.
Alison Hensley
Alison is representing Harlan County High School. Alison is the 18 year old daughter of Anthony and Sheila Hensley. While in high school, Alison was a member of the Beta Club, First Priority, National Honor Society where she served as an officer, and was enrolled in the certified nursing assistant program through Southeast Community and Technical College. She participated in track and field specializing in throwing events. Her hobbies include owning and operating “All the little details by Ali”, her small auto detailing business, photography, and cooking. Alison plans to attend college this fall and major in nursing.
Amy Roman
Amy is representing Harlan High School. Amy is the 17 year old daughter of Pedro and Consuelo Roman. Her honors include being an All A Honor Roll member and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. In high school, Amy co-founded her own youth organization and was active in Beta Club, Operation Unite, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Academic Team. She was also a member of the cross country team and was an attendant representing Harlan County High School at this year’s Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. She currently enjoys running, painting, and crocheting in her free time. Amy plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University in the fall to complete her prerequisites for nursing working toward acceptance into their nursing program.
Carley Ella-Brooke Jump
Carley is representing Harlan High School. Carley is the 18 year old daughter of April & Kevin Jump. While at Harlan High School her honors included being a member of Gifted and Talented and A-B Honor Roll all four years, as well as being a state registered nurses aide. She was also a 4-H teen leader, a UNITE Club member, and participated in volleyball and cheerleading. Carley enjoys exercising, tanning, and hanging out with friends and family. She plans to attend the Lincoln Memorial University RN program beginning this fall with aspirations to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Elaina Reese Salyers
Elaina is representing Harlan County High School. Elaina is the 17 year old daughter of Wesley Salyers and Maria Thomas. During high school, she was a member of Beta Club, Spanish Club, and participated in volleyball. Elaina was voted Best Dressed in her senior class. Her hobbies include studying, babysitting, and working. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee to pursue a degree in journalism with aspirations to become a news reporter.
Erin Alezandria Stewart (Alley)
Alley is representing Harlan County High School. Alley is the 18 year old daughter of Vanessa and Josh Stewart. During high school, Alley was on the President’s List and a member of the Spanish Honor Society, UNITE Club, and First Priority Leadership. She also participated on the tennis team and dance team. Her hobbies include working out, hanging out with friends, and working at her job at the Frosty Flamingo. Alley plans to attend Southeast Technical and Community College in the fall, later transferring to East Tennessee State University for their dental hygiene program.
Kaitlyn Faith Engle
Kaitlyn is representing Harlan High School. Kaitlyn is the 18 year old daughter of Delora & Tim Goshen. Throughout her high school career, she was a member of the FBLA Club, UNITE Club, and was a Peer Forward Leader. She was her school’s Princess candidate during this year’s Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. She participated all four years on the cheerleading team. Her hobbies include volunteering her time as a buddy for the Challenger League Baseball and with the Mustard Seed Food Pantry as well as being a Sunday School teacher. Kaitlyn plans to attend Lincoln Memorial University where she will study elementary special education with a minor in communications.
Karagan Olivia Burnette
Karagan is representing Harlan High School. Karagan is the 18 year old daughter of Shaun and Jessica Burnette. Her honors include having a 4.0 throughout her high school career. While at Harlan High, she participated in the art club and women’s appreciation. Her hobbies include painting, reading, and working. She plans to attend the University of the Cumberlands in the fall and major in Communications and broadcasting.
Lacey Short
Lacey is representing Harlan County High School. Lacey is the 18 year old daughter of Andy & Amanda Short. Her honors while in high school include being Valedictorian and earning an honors diploma. She was a member of Student Council, Beta Club, and National Honor Society. Lacey participated in tennis and was on the dance team. Her hobbies include reading, baking, and singing at church. She plans to major in Psychology at the University of Pikeville. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and to return to Harlan to practice as a psychiatrist.
Maliyah Bala
Maliyah is representing Harlan County High School. Maliyah is the 18 year old daughter of T.J. and Priscilla Dunson. While at Harlan County, she received the Academic Honors Diploma, was a DECA state champion, and an All American Cheerleader. She was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Her hobbies include doing gymnastics, shopping, and reading. Maliyah plans to attend Morehead State on a cheerleading scholarship and major in exercise science.
Preslee Hensley
Preslee is representing Harlan County High School. Preslee is the 18 year old daughter of David and Heather Hensley. Her honors include being a member of the track and field team where she currently holds the school 4x8 record. She ran cross country. She participated in National Honor Society, Beta Club, Drama Club, Thespian Society, and yearbook staff. Her hobbies include singing at her church where she is active in the children’s ministry, running, and reading her Bible. She plans to major in Elementary Education and become a teacher.
Rileigh Duff
Rileigh is representing Harlan County High School. Rileigh is the 17 year old daughter of Megan & Charlie Ewing and Mark Duff. During high school she was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and First Priority. She played soccer and was named to the Section 7 All Tournament team. She also participated in dance, volleyball, and track & field teams. Her hobbies include diamond art, reading, and painting. Rileigh plans to attend Alice Lloyd College and major in Elementary Education then further her academic career at the University of the Cumberlands to obtain her Masters in Education.
Salena Amro
Salena is representing Harlan High School. Salena is the 18 year old daughter of Dr. Osama and Mai Amro. Salena earned the honor of valedictorian of her senior class, ACT Scholar, and All A Honor Roll accolades. She was selected as a 2026 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Attendant and a Governor’s Scholar. At Harlan High School, she was president of both Beta Club and FBLA. She has also started a youth organization to increase awareness of various STEM resources among young girls in Harlan County to spark their interest in pursuing a STEM occupation. Her hobbies include playing piano, reading, and traveling. She plans to attend the University of Louisville in the fall and major in neuroscience under the guaranteed entrance to medical school program as a Porter scholar in the hopes of becoming a future physician at the University of Louisville Medical School.
Shania Jadeyn Middelton
Shania is representing Harlan County High Schoool. Shania is the 18 year old granddaughter of Bobby & Josephine Middleton and daughter of Angie Bratcher. Her honors include being a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, representing her school as an attendant at this year’s Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, and ranking first in her graduating class. Shania was a member of her school National Honor Society and served on the First Priority Leadership Team. Her hobbies include tutoring youth in her community, being an advocate against substance abuse, and being an active member of the First Baptist Church of Loyall. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky to major in biosystems engineering on a pre-med track. After completing medical school, she plans to return to her hometown of Harlan as a pediatrician.
Sophie Day
Sophie is representing Harlan County High School. Sophie is the 18 year old daughter of Kim & Jacob Saylor and Pat & Paige Day. During high school, Sophie was selected as her school’s Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar ambassador and was part of the positive behavioral interventions and support team at HC. She was a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Unite Club. She participated in volleyball, cross country, and tennis. She was Harlan County High School’s Kentucky Mountain Laurel Princess candidate. Her hobbies include reading, spending time on the lake, and playing tennis with her friends. Sophie plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University and major in occupational science with aspirations to become an occupational therapist.
Zoe Napier
Zoe is representing Harlan County High School. Zoe is the 18 year old daughter of Brian and Carolyn Napier. During high school, Zoe received the Entrepreneurial Award for starting a business. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Future Business Leaders of America. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and painting. She plans to attend the University of the Cumberlands this fall to major in psychology and criminal justice with aspirations to become a lawyer.