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By Kris Harrell

The Camellia Society crowned its first Camellia Queen at the inaugural Camellia Queen Pageant Saturday.  A panel of judges also selected and awarded debutantes to work alongside the society to further educate others about the Camellia City. 

The queen and runner up were chosen based on their poise, speaking ability and presentation. The five remaining participants were also awarded as debutantes and as part of the queen’s court.

“I think it was highly successful. I think these girls are embarking on an amazing journey,” said Jan Newton, the Greenville Camilla Society president. “I don’t think they realize it yet. We see it because we’re the ones that’s going to be making the plans on how to promote them. I think they might have a little glimpse of it.” 

During the pageant, Karya Jalani Likely was crowned the 2025 Camellia Queen. Alongside her was Emilee Myrick, who was crowned the 2025 Camellia Queen Runner-up. 

Debutantes who were selected for the Camellia Queen’s court were also awarded during the pageant. The court includes Anyah Cobb, Calie Little, Rakiya Peterson, Jakahrie Robinson and Camryn Lanett Stinson. 

“I’m very happy and I’m ready to see what it comes with, I’m always down for new beginnings and this is something really big for me,” Likely said. “I’m just very excited.” 

As the Camellia Queen and court, the participants will be aiding the Camellia Society with their annual Camellia Show and other sponsored exhibitions, as well as speaking to news organizations and the public.

For their participation, the queen, runner-up and debutantes were awarded with sashes, trophies and cash prizes. The queen’s court ladies each received a $250 cash prize. The runner-up received a $500 cash prize, and the Camellia Queen was awarded a crown and a $1,000 cash prize. 

“Our society is very interested in getting our young people in this county involved in our mission,” Newton said. “The time that they’re going to give us is going to be a huge investment too; the more we put them in front of the public, the easier it’s going to get for them to present themselves. 

“The interview game as a young adult in this world is hard, and we’re going to give them an edge in the competition to achieve their goals, whatever their career path is, so we’re so proud to be able to do that to help them a little bit monetarily and help them hone their interview skills and present themselves.”

The Camellia Queen and the debutante court’s first big task for the Camellia Society will be to aid with the annual Camellia Show and Artisans Market, which will both be held Feb. 15 and Feb. 16.