SAFFORD — Eastern Arizona Cinderella had three members of the local royalty win at the recent state pageant, which means they get to participate in the International Scholarship Pageant later this month.
But before they go, a new member of the local royalty had to be crowned.
During a special ceremony Sunday at the GFWC Woman’s Club of Safford, Christyl Spencer was crowned the new Eastern Arizona Cinderella Woman for 2024.
Spencer, who was runner-up at the local pageant last February, said this altered her plans for what would have been her last competition in 2025.
“I was going to compete my last year and possibly win it the next year with my daughter,” Spencer said.
Spencer said, instead, she hopes to crown her daughter, Amelia, 4, as the Eastern Arizona Tot in 2025.
Under Cinderella Pageant rules, royalty may hold just one crown at a time, which meant Adona Spackman, who won the Cinderella Woman crown at the state pageant, had to hand the local crown to Spencer.
Spackman said she enjoyed her time at state and is looking forward to the international pageant.
“The experience was absolutely wonderful, and the best part is just getting to meet new people and be around new friends,”
In addition to Spackman, Eastern Arizona Cinderella’s other state winners — Ambassador Rikki Yentch and Tiny Tot Saylor Evans — will also be heading to Dallas for the international pageant. They will be joined by Bristol Seay, Amelia Spencer, Rori Overall, Eleanor Throop, Felicity Cauthen and Christyl Spencer.
Those who can’t make the trip can watch the international pageant online.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
