For Lucy Smith, this year as Miss Pahrump has been about more than crowns, pageants, or trophies—it’s been about growth, service, and the power of connection.
Lucy, a Pahrump Valley High School senior and accomplished dancer, began her journey with the Miss Pahrump Pageant as a freshman. Encouraged by her friends and drawn in by the fun and feminine energy of the event, Lucy saw it as a chance to express herself and connect with her peers. “I’m a girly girl,” she said with a smile. “I love dresses, I love dancing—it just sounded like something I’d love to be a part of.”
Her first year didn’t end with a crown or a placement in the court, but what it did bring was even more valuable: friendship, memories, and the start of a meaningful journey. “The week of the pageant was so fun,” she recalled. “Swim parties, a day trip, just being with my friends—it made me want to keep doing it.”
She returned her sophomore year and earned the title of Second Attendant. As she continued through high school, Lucy stayed dedicated to the pageant and her personal growth. By her junior year, she entered the competition with more experience, more confidence, and a stronger understanding of what the program represented. That year, Lucy not only earned the title of Miss Pahrump—she won four of the five first-place awards: Formal Wear, Talent, Interview Question, and Photogenic.
Her winning talent? A jazz dance solo, one of many she performed over her years of competing. “I’ve always danced—since I was eight—and I’ve danced competitively since fifth grade,” she said. “I love using dance to express myself. When I’m not dancing, I feel like I don’t have a creative outlet. It’s how I get my emotions out.”
Lucy also used her platform as Miss Pahrump to focus on an important cause: food insecurity. Her community platform centered around collecting and donating food to help local families in need. She partnered with the local food pantry next to the Community Church and organized a successful Fourth of July food drive, as well as a school-based contest at Manse Elementary that rewarded top donors with donuts. “Food is a basic necessity,” she said. “Not everyone has easy access to it, and I wanted to help however I could.”
In addition to her platform, Lucy took part in a wide range of events throughout her reign—representing Pahrump with poise and positivity at parades like Nevada Day in Carson City, the Fall Festival Parade, and the Fourth of July Parade. “The Nevada Day Parade was probably my favorite,” she said. “We stayed overnight and had a blast hanging out in the hot tub, singing, and getting to know each other better as a court. It was cold, but it was so fun.”
Lucy also participated in ribbon cuttings, local fundraisers including the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Foundation events, and PVHS’s Football team’s annual spaghetti dinner. “I loved meeting people,” she said. “Going to all these events, building friendships—it’s been amazing.”
Now, with her reign coming to a close, Lucy is preparing for her final appearance on stage during this year’s pageant on June 20 at Saddle West. She’ll perform two solos, present sponsor plaques, and take her final walk as a recording of her reflections plays. “I’m kind of sad,” she admitted, “but I’m also excited for someone else to experience what I have. It’s been an incredible year.”
Looking ahead, Lucy plans to attend college with hopes of either becoming a child therapist or opening her own dance studio. “I’m torn because I love both,” she laughed. “But I know I want to dance in college, and my top school is Utah Valley University if I can make their dance team. I’m also considering Grand Canyon or Utah Tech.”
Lucy credits the Miss Pahrump Pageant for helping shape her into a more confident, well-rounded young woman. “As a dancer, I was used to performing, but I was definitely nervous about the speaking portions,” she said. “Now, I feel way more confident about public speaking—and I know that’ll help me in job interviews and adulthood.”
This year, a new group of young women will step into the spotlight, each bringing her own dreams, talents, and causes to the stage. Among them is 16-year-old Arielle Lighten, an 11th grader with a passion for singing. Arielle is involved in book club, social ballroom dancing, and her church youth group. She dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and uses her platform, “Minimizing Screens & Maximizing Dreams,” to encourage youth to put down their devices and pursue real-world passions. She also enjoys baking, sewing, rollerblading, and creating artwork.
Heaven Martin, 18, will dazzle the audience with a cheer-dance performance to “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” A senior at PVHS and a member of the cheerleading team, Heaven plans to become a child law advocate. Her platform, “Gathering Blankets for Those in Need,” aims to provide comfort to the community’s most vulnerable. She enjoys cooking, painting, and diamond painting.
Isabella Simpson, 16, is a junior whose jazz dance to “Le Jazz Hot” reflects her passion for performance. A member of the PVHS dance team, Isabella plans to pursue marine biology. Her platform focuses on “Donating Necessities to Our Animal Shelter,” combining her love for animals with community care.
Nyomi Skinner, 14, brings a unique talent to the stage: crocheting. A sophomore, she balances tennis, track and field, and club activities while pursuing her dream of becoming a midwife. Her platform, “Supporting Expecting Mothers by Creating Thoughtful Prenatal Care Packages,” showcases her compassion and creativity.
Molly Stoddard, 17, will perform a hip-hop dance to “Blow.” A senior and National Honor Society member, Molly aspires to work in forensics and criminal pathology. Her platform, “Stand Up to Cancer,” honors those affected by the disease and encourages awareness and support.
Angel Martin, 16, will present a dance to “Meant to Be.” An 11th grader and varsity cheerleader, Angel is active in JAG and her church youth group. She hopes to become a veterinarian and uses her platform, “Helping Animals in Need,” to give back to the furry members of our community.
Returning to the stage is Emilee Rodriguez, 14, a sophomore who served alongside Lucy as a member of last year’s court. She’ll perform to “The Winner Takes It All” and continues to be active with the PVHS dance team, Nevada Dance Centre, and gymnastics. Emilee’s platform, “Pages with Purpose,” promotes literacy and reading as a source of empowerment. She hopes to one day become a physical therapist or investment banker.
This year’s Miss Pahrump Pageant will be held on Friday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Saddle West Showroom. General admission is $15 and VIP seating is $20, with tickets available from any contestant or by contacting the pageant at MissPahrumpPageant@gmail.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and this year’s event is proudly sponsored by Saitta Trudeau Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge & Ram.
As Lucy prepares to pass the crown, she does so with gratitude, pride, and excitement for the next young woman who will represent Pahrump with the same joy and heart she’s shown all year. “It’s been the best experience,” she said. “It’s helped me grow in ways I didn’t even expect—and I’ll never forget it.”
