A lot of little girls dream of becoming a princess.
For Bella Riggs, that dream became a reality Saturday night (April 5) as she was crowned Miss Destin 2025 at Destin High School.
Riggs was one of 11 girls who competed to wear the crown and sash as Miss Destin to reign over the Destin Fishing Rodeo in October and represent Destin throughout the year.
The 10 other girls were Ivy Bryant, Caroline Campbell, Kaylynn Hayles, Brynne Massey, Anna Miller, Elleanorah Remm, Kristianna Rowland, Holly Schmidt, Estella Scoma and Kaitlyn Williams.
With more than 200 people gathered for the pageant, the judges came back with a decision after a 37-minute deliberation.
More: Miss Destin contestants set sail on Southern Star
“My heart was beating out of my chest. I was so nervous,” Riggs said, as the runner-ups were announced.
“But the second it (her name) was called, it was so surreal,” said the 17-year-old Riggs.
Becoming Miss Destin is something she has thought about for years.
“I’d go to the Pinfish Classic and Take-A-Kid Fishing and visit the Miss Destins,” Riggs said.
“It’s always been a dream of mine,” she said.
As Miss Destin, not only will Riggs reign over the Rodeo, but she will attend events throughout the year as an ambassador for Destin.
“I love my community so much, it truly is just such an honor,” Riggs said to be Miss Destin.
This was Riggs’ second run for the crown.
“I didn’t show my full personality last time,” she said, noting she was more serious.
“This time I came in to have a good time,” she said.
And that bubbly personality paid off. Not only did she win a $5,000 scholarship for being selected Miss Destin but was also the recipient of the Nancy Cheney Congeniality Award, $200 and a plaque.
Riggs said her parents have been incredibly supportive.
“They have supported me the whole way. They are always very real and give me good advice,” she said.
And her parents were beaming with joy Saturday night.
“I’m very excited for her,” said her mother, Amy.
“She has wanted to do this since she was a little bitty girl and would go fishing with her dad on the docks,” Amy said.
“Then she started having me bring her every year to the Miss Destin competitions, so she could watch. She really has been training for this. And kept trying until she got it.
“I’m proud of her,” Amy said.
And her dad, Stephen, was just as proud as he stood back and watched her pose for photo after photo.
Stephen said when Bella was very young, “I’m not raising a princess, I’m raising a queen.”
“She just looked forward to coming out and trying again,” he said.
“She’s such an amazing person, the hardest working kid I’ve ever known,” Stephen said.
“That’s my queen,” he said as Bella continued to take photos with friends and family.
Bella Riggs, a life-long resident of Destin and junior at Fort Walton Beach High School, is highly active at school. She is on the FWBHS Stars dance team and has won several regional competitions and consistently placed in the top 10 at NDA Nationals. She is class president and is part of the Leadership program.
Riggs was recently elected to be president of the Beta Club. She is also an active member of the Athletic Leadership Team, Viking Ladies, National Honor Society and Hope Squad.
The first runner-up was Estella Scoma. She received a $1,000 scholarship. She also won the Peyton LoCicero Humanitarian Award, $500.
Second runner-up was Ivy Bryant. She was the recipient of a $500 scholarship.
Third runner-up was Elleanorah Remm. She received a $500 scholarship.
Fourth place and a $500 scholarship went to Caroline Campbell. She was also won the Most Photogenic Award, $200.
Before the winners were announced the contestants participated in a fashion show featuring clothing and accessories from Stallworth, Frillseekers and Kendra Scott; they entertained the crowd with a dance routine to “Dancing Queen;” participated in a gown presentation; and answered a mystery question.
While the girls were making their changes backstage for the gown presentation, the crowd got to watch TikTok video the girls made.
The mystery questions were randomly chosen by the girls and covered a wide range of topics.
Kaitlyn Williams’ question was, “If you were Superhero for a day, what would you name be and what would be your superpower?”
“Miss Talk-alot,” Williams said.
“That way I could say everything I wanted to.”
While the judges were deliberated, a tearful Miss Destin 2024 Reagan Magee said her farewell.
“As Miss Destin I found a family I didn’t know I needed at the time,” Magee said of the Rodeo volunteers.
She thanked all those involved in the Rodeo that made it happen every day on the docks in October.
More: Reagan Magee is Miss Destin 2024
“You each brought something special into my life,” Magee said.
Magee talked of Amber Helton, who was chairperson of the Rodeo this past year, as well as a past Miss Destin herself.
“She once said, ‘If Miss Destin cries at the end of her reign … she was a good one,’” Magee said, noting she cried every night on her way home, the last week of October.
Magee thanked Donaldson for “being her dock mom” and “advice” given about school and college.
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity and being a part of my journey,” Magee said.
“Signing up for this pageant is one of the best things I’ve ever done. This is a once in a lifetime experience, that only a handful of people get,” she said, noting it was the highlight of her senior year.
As for Miss Destin 2025 Bella Riggs, first on her agenda Saturday night after the pageant … “Make an Instagram account and go to sleep.”
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Bella Riggs is Miss Destin 2025
Reporting by Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log / The Destin Log
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
