The Miss Leesburg Scholarship Program has officially designated its royal court for the 2026-27 term, inaugurating a brand-new year centered on civic leadership, local pride, and dedicated volunteerism. The crowning marks the beginning of an extensive slate of public responsibilities for the chosen titleholders, who are prepared to represent their municipality at numerous functions across the region.
This year's newly installed court features four dedicated representatives spanning multiple age divisions: Miss Leesburg Callie Braun, Teen Miss Leesburg Harper Richey, Junior Miss Leesburg Raegan Mallory, and Little Miss Leesburg Myrcella Ciceri. Together, these young leaders will collaborate across the coming year to uphold the pageant’s established tradition of community-minded ambassadorship.
Linda Watts, the founder of the Miss Leesburg Scholarship Pageant, underscored the deep-rooted mission that guides the program each season. Emphasizing the purpose behind the crowns and sashes, Watts noted that, above all else, the titleholders will devote the next twelve months to embodying and representing the community's authentic heart for service.
Over the course of their year-long tenure, the royal court will function as official goodwill ambassadors for the city of Leesburg. Their responsibilities include appearing at high-profile civic gatherings, greeting residents during local parades, and playing an active part in municipal celebrations designed to foster community cohesion.
A major focus of the court's calendar involves direct engagement with philanthropic efforts and charitable organizations. Among their scheduled duties is participating in foundational local initiatives, including the Share Your Christmas Food Drive, which helps support families experiencing food insecurity throughout the surrounding area.
Leading the 2026-27 court is Callie Braun, who steps into the role of Miss Leesburg with an extensive track record in the organization. Braun is already deeply familiar with the expectations of the title, having previously held the crowns of both Tiny Miss Leesburg and Junior Miss Leesburg in earlier years.
Braun’s ongoing involvement highlights a sustained dedication to municipal service that has evolved as she has grown within the organization. In her current capacity as Miss Leesburg, she is set to serve not only as a primary public representative for the city she loves, but also as an experienced mentor and guiding role model for the younger titleholders sharing the court.
Joining Braun in a senior leadership role is Teen Miss Leesburg Harper Richey, who likewise brings valuable pageant and volunteer experience to the 2026-27 court. Richey previously held the titles of Little Miss Leesburg and Junior Miss Leesburg, building a strong foundation of community outreach over several years of participation.
Richey’s continued dedication to the organization reflects a personal commitment to the core tenets of the scholarship program, which prioritizes leadership development and civic responsibility. Her presence on the court reinforces the program's broader mission of fostering positive youth involvement throughout Lake County.
Rounding out the four-member royal court are Junior Miss Leesburg Raegan Mallory and Little Miss Leesburg Myrcella Ciceri. Both young titleholders are stepping into their respective roles ready to contribute their energy to community projects, learn valuable public presentation skills, and stand alongside their older court peers at civic events.
The installation of the 2026-27 court follows a productive term by the outgoing 2025-26 titleholders, who established a strong standard of community engagement. The previous court was led by Miss Leesburg Claire Carlton and Teen Miss Leesburg Ryleigh Mallory, working in tandem with Junior Miss Leesburg Allison Waddell, Little Miss Leesburg Zuri Spurlock, and Tiny Miss Leesburg Amzie Wilburth.
During their tenure, the 2025-26 queens frequently collaborated with local municipal officials and business leaders to support regional development. Among their notable engagements was joining Leesburg Mayor and Commissioner Alan Reisman and Campus USA Credit Union CEO Jerry Benton for the financial institution's grand opening in Leesburg in October 2025.
The past court was also active in environmental and cultural initiatives within the municipality. In June 2026, court members participated in the Leesburg in Bloom butterfly release at the Leesburg Library, celebrating a newly planted pollinator garden. That project also featured vibrant, volunteer-painted beehives supplied by local beekeepers and displayed on the library roof for public viewing from the second-floor windows.
In addition to municipal projects, previous representatives supported regional festivities and commercial expansions, including appearances at Lady Lake's Big Bang celebrations in late June 2026 and ribbon-cutting ceremonies such as the Aldi grand opening at U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 48 in December 2026.
These extensive community efforts demonstrate the continuous bridge between local government, commercial growth, and youth leadership fostered by the pageant program. By encouraging young women to engage in public speaking and civic advocacy, the organization creates a framework for enduring local impact.
As the 2026-27 queens begin their official schedule, Callie Braun, Harper Richey, Raegan Mallory, and Myrcella Ciceri stand prepared to build upon this legacy. Their forthcoming year of parades, volunteer drives, and civic partnerships will ensure that Leesburg remains actively represented by dedicated youth ambassadors throughout Lake County.
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