Caverna students are Rising Stars
Elainna Barker and Carlee Briggs are Kentucky’s Rising Stars as they have been mentored by Miss Kentucky Teens. Photo submitted.
Mary Beth Sallee
Managing Editor
Hart Co. News-Herald
Two students at Caverna Elementary School are shining bright as Kentucky’s Rising Stars.
Carlee Brooke Briggs, age 10 from Cave City, and Elainna Lou Barker, age 6 from Horse Cave, participated in The 2024 Miss Kentucky’s Teen Scholarship Competition on Friday, June 14 at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green.
Miss Kentucky’s Teen is part of the Miss Kentucky Scholarship and the Miss America Scholarship organizations. Each teen contestant invites a young girl to be their Rising Star during the year-long journey as they compete to become Miss Kentucky’s Teen.
Carlee is Kentucky’s Rising Star for Miss Heart of Bourbon County Teen, Jenaya Adams. Elainna is Kentucky’s Rising Star for Miss My Old Kentucky Home Teen, Aleah Stigall.
Carlee Briggs pictured in her evening gown. Photo submitted
Elainna Barker pictured in her evening gown. Photo submitted
Both teens have served as mentors to their Rising Stars based upon the four points of the Miss America crown: service, style, scholarship, and success. The mutual involvement in community service, friendship, and activities throughout the year creates a sisterhood between the teens and their Rising Stars that will last a lifetime.
During the Miss Kentucky’s Teen Scholarship Competition on June 14, Carlee and Elainna enjoyed a fun-filled day making connections with other young girls who shared their interest during the competition. The Caverna students attended a Royal Tea Party hosted by 2023 Miss Kentucky Mallory Hudson and 2024 Miss Kentucky Teen Sophia Todd. Carlee and Elainna also performed a dance routine onstage during the competition and escorted their teen contestants onstage for their farewell walk.
Being a Kentucky Rising Star has meant the world to both Carlee and Elainna.
“It means I get a big sister and get to walk with her on stage,” Elainna said. “I also get to hang out with Miss Kentucky and Miss Sophia. Miss Sophia paints and draws, and I really like that.”
“Being a 2024 rising star meant a lot to me,” Carlee added. “Jenaya Adams is my role model, and I want to pattern my pageantry after her. She gave me an opportunity to experience the big stage in hopes of competing myself someday.”
This year as a Rising Star, each girl enjoyed different aspects of their experience.
“My favorite part of serving as Jenaya’s Rising Star was visiting the Ronald McDonald House,” Carlee shared. “While there, I helped Jenaya with her Siblings in the Shadows platform by playing bingo with the kids that were there staying while their brother or sister was in the hospital. It meant a lot to bring them joy and have a good time.”
“It was at the horse farm (Tour of Taylor Made Farms) that I got to meet Miss Chappel (Miss Kentucky 2024),” Elainna said of her favorite experience. “Aleah is her little sister like I am Aleah’s little sister. They’ve been sisters for a really long time. I am going to be Aleah’s sister forever!”
When asked if they will be Miss Kentucky one day, Elainna said, “I don’t know, but I want to be one of the big sisters one day like Aleah is for me.”
“I am not sure if I will be Miss Kentucky one day, but I do plan to compete in teen,” Carlee said. “For now, I need to start working on my talent.”
Jobe Publishing, Inc. congratulates both Carlee Briggs and Elainna Barker on their success as Kentucky’s Rising Stars.
Carlee Brooke Briggs with her contestant, Miss Heart of Bourbon County Teen, Jenaya Adams. Photo submitted.
Elainna Lou Barker with her contestant, Miss My Old Kentucky Home Teen, Aleah Stigall. Photo submitted.
