The first Miss Community Outreach of Archdale-Trinity Princess and Queen pageant was held Jan. 9 at John Lawrence Elementary School. Winners, from left, are Kayla Flannery, COAT Queen, and Tayler Kellison, COAT Princess.

Archdale-Trinity folks recently honored their newest royalty — Kayla Flannery, Miss COAT Queen, and Tayler Kellison, Miss COAT Princess.

Actually, all the contestants got the royal treatment. Eight young ladies dressed in their Sunday best had the undivided attention of the audience at the first Community Outreach of Archdale-Trinity princess and queen pageant held Jan. 9 at John Lawrence Elementary School.

Organizers had hoped that parents and friends of the contestants would attend, but were thrilled when 75 to 100 people braved the cold.

Girls competed in casual and dress wear categories and shared their dreams for the future.

“I would like to be an animal doctor,” said Carlee Macaluso.

Natalie Jacobs, a kindergartner, said she wanted to be a doctor and a butterfly.

Ali Johnson, a third grader at Trinity Elementary, said that when she grows up she wants to be a dentist and the tooth fairy.

Their careers are a long way off, but the girls fulfilled their present desires to help other people by conducting fundraisers for COAT. Thunderous applause went to the eight young ladies who raised a total of $1,200 for COAT’s BackPack Program, which provides nutritious food for children who are at risk for hunger on the weekends.

COAT serves approximately 250 children in Archdale-Trinity schools, at a weekly cost of $700.

“With admission and concessions, altogether we made $1,460,” said co-chairman Barbara Freeman. “We were all really pleased.”

“Eight young ladies from kindergarten through fifth grade worked very hard to raise money for COAT,” said COAT Executive Director Rita Walker.