An American by birth, Jolaine Kapapula moved to Zambia at 2 before moving back to the states as a teen, she told the audience Saturday during the Miss Belton pageant at Summerfest.
At first, going to an American high school was a dream come true, she said. But after a few weeks, she felt less and less comfortable in her new California environment. Though her English is impeccable, she felt left out and ignored.
“I didn’t understand the jokes, and I just didn’t feel part of it. That all changed when I came to Belton and started school here. This is the most welcoming environment I’ve ever been part of.”
And her charm won over the three-member judging panel as well, despite impressive competition from Anna Marie Edmonds and Corra Parsons, in the pageant emceed by former Belton Queen and former Belton City Councilmember Stephanie Davidson.
Kapapula will serve for the next year at community events ranging from parades and ribbon-cuttings to community service projects.
Jolaine Kapapula
Belton Queen
Kapapula is the daughter of Kaluba and Precious Kapapula. In the fall, she will be a junior at Belton High School. She is active in both soccer and choir and enjoys playing the ukulele, baking and traveling. In her free time, Kapapula volunteers at her church’s daycare center.
After graduation, she would like to take a gap year to go on mission trips, then attend Yale University to study software engineering.
Anna Marie Edmonds
First Runner Up
Edmonds is the daughter of Mason and Rebecca Edmonds. In the fall, she will be a senior at Belton High School. In school, Edmonds volunteers her time with You Matter Belton and Belton Cares organizations. In addition, she was recently honored with an All-American Award for cheerleading. Outside school, she volunteers with Youth Group at LifeQuest Church.
After graduation, Edmonds plans to work a St. Luke’s with her mother, Rebecca (also a former Belton Queen), so she can begin college coursework for nursing.
Corra Parsons
Second Runner Up
Parsons is the daughter of Susan Parsons. In the fall, she will be a senior in her homeschool program. Parsons enjoys going on outreaches to help others with their spiritual needs and is a member of Word of Life Community Church, a student leader with the Word of Life Youth Group, and a camp counselor with God’s Mountain Ministries.
Parsons has had a passion for doing people’s hair since she was in sixth grade and plans to attend cosmetology school when she graduates.