Story by Emily Reed
Photos contributed
This year’s Miss Blackberry Queen Katie Littlefield hopes to use her reign to let others know about the importance of finding your inner beauty.
“I hope to let people know not to be scared to be themselves,” Littlefield said. “Being yourself around people is not only the best thing you can do for yourself, but for them, too. They get to see the truest part of you and the way God has made you. I am always myself when we go into businesses and places from our community because I want to have an impact on people’s lives like some people are to me with the way they are themselves every time no matter where or what situation.”
Littlefield was crowned this spring during the pageant’s second year of existence.
The pageant was created to complement the annual Black and Blue Berry Festival held at Petals from the Past in Jemison and is a fundraiser for the Jemison Lions Club.
Pam Deavers, who was in charge of the pageant this year, said Littlefield received a prize package of gift cards from local businesses as well as a photo session with Captured by Candace, a modeling session with Willow 31, free ice cream at Todd’s Produce and a free slushie at Pierce Farms.
Littlefield said the most enjoyable moment so far for her during her reign as Miss Blackberry Queen was having the opportunity to attend the Black and Blue Berry Festival at Petals from the Past.
“The people were so nice, and we even got to pick some blackberries,” Littlefield said.
Initially, Littlefield decided to try out for Miss Blackberry because of the new tradition it holds for Chilton County, plus she wanted to have a chance of helping grow the tradition for others that may be interested in auditioning in future years.
Littlefield has competed in pageants before including the Peach Pageant as a younger child and some smaller pageants at her school.
“I was very surprised when I found out that I was Miss Blackberry because of all the pageants I have done, I have never won a title,” Littlefield said. “This pageant has been nothing but good to me ever since, and I thank God for the opportunities that this role has given me.”
Littlefield said she has also enjoyed the opportunity to be an example to her younger queen sisters by showing them how they should treat people in addition to learning how to make others happy.
Since being crowned, Littlefield has spent time representing Miss Blackberry by attending different events around the county.
“We helped spread the word about the pageant by handing out T-shirts at the Black and Blue Berry Festival,” Littlefield said. “We really want more people to learn about the pageant and hopefully participate in future years. We also helped out with Relay For Life by giving out raffle tickets at an event. We have just enjoyed getting to know the community and meeting different people that we wouldn’t normally have the chance to meet if we weren’t given these roles as queens.”
Littlefield said she was also attended an event in Jemison in August to get to know the members of the Jemison Lion’s Club better.
Littlefield plans to further her education in nursing at Jefferson State Community College and become an ICU RN.
She said one thing most people would be surprised to learn about her is that she is a part of the health science program at LeCroy Career Technical Center in Clanton to help her with her nursing career.
The best piece of advice Littlefield has received is to not take for granted the time she has left.
“That doesn’t just mean that we are going to die one day, it also means that this is my senior year of high school, and everyone says it is going to fly by and graduation is right around the corner,” Littlefield said. “I really put that in perspective when I had my last orientation at school …. because it is all coming to an end very fast.”
Littlefield said she enjoys eating blackberries, and while she considers herself a lover of most fruits, blackberries are definitely a top favorite.
Littlefield is the daughter of Tim Littlefield and DeAnna Johnson. She lives in Clanton and attends Chilton County High School.