News Summary
The annual Huntington Pride Pageant featured five talented contestants showcasing their creativity and performances at Marshall University. With various categories like talent and evening wear, the event crowned Miss Huntington Pride, Mister Huntington Pride, and Huntington Pride Icon. The pageant emphasizes the importance of community representation and advocacy, highlighting both entertainment and awareness for key issues.
Huntington
The annual Huntington Pride Pageant took place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Marshall University, where contestants competed for the prestigious titles of Miss Huntington Pride, Mister Huntington Pride, and Huntington Pride Icon. Five contestants showcased their talents and creativity in front of an enthusiastic audience in the Don Morris Room of the Marshall University Memorial Student Center.
The pageant featured various competition categories including presentation, formal wear/evening wear, and talent, allowing contestants to highlight their unique styles and skills. The contestants included Miss Coyote, Melody Vuitton, Akilu Nagiru, Cole Maze, and Mars. Each participant displayed a range of creative outfits, with some like Coyote and Vuitton opting for elegant gowns while others sported distinctive looks such as a self-made bumble bee suit and a horned monster costume. Maze’s presentation drew inspiration from fairy tales, characterized by a witch hat and cape.
A panel of judges, including former Miss Huntington Pride winner Lucy Lips, evaluated each contestant’s performance and contributions. Lips also delivered a heartfelt message about the importance of suicide prevention. Throughout the pageant, contestants engaged in self-introduction segments and responded to judge questions, allowing them to express their personalities and awareness of key issues.
The talent portion of the event included captivating live performances, with standout moments from Mars, who showcased vocal prowess alongside a band. Contestants also engaged the audience in a unique voting system where attendees supported their favorites by tipping cash into jars designated for each participant.
The results of the pageant saw Coyote crowned as Miss Huntington Pride 2025 following a successful fan vote, while Maze, having no competitors in his category, was named Mister Huntington Pride. Akilu Nagiru impressed the judges significantly and secured the title of Huntington Pride Icon, recognized for their original style and creative presentation.
Justin Murdock, president of the Huntington Pride Board, highlighted the significance of these titles, emphasizing that the selected individuals play a crucial role in raising funds and promoting awareness within the community throughout the year. The pageant not only celebrated diversity and creativity but also reinforced the values of representation and advocacy present within the Huntington Pride community.
The Huntington Pride Pageant continues to grow as a platform that empowers participants while providing an entertaining and enlightening experience for attendees. The uplifting atmosphere of the event fosters a sense of unity and pride, reflecting the vibrant culture that characterizes Huntington’s LGBTQ+ community.
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Additional Resources
- Marshall Parthenon: Huntington Pride Annual Pageant
- Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in the United States
- Marshall Parthenon: Pride Pageant Showcases Style & Self-Expression
- Google Search: Huntington Pride pageant
- Marshall Parthenon: Underground Railroad Markers in West Virginia
- Google Scholar: Huntington Pride
- Marshall Parthenon: Protesters at Cabell County Courthouse
- Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBT Rights
- Marshall Parthenon: Zach Bryan Takes Huntington by Storm
- Google News: Huntington West Virginia
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