- December 17, 2025
Ashley Kimball waves to all her fans after being crowned a pageant queen. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Atticus Rivera joined all of the pageant show participants came onstage to dance to Katy Perry's "Roar" after the crowing of each king and queen.
Carol Ellis takes a dance with Brandon Daniels during the onstage dance party after being crowned a queen.
Carol Ellis comes to the Shining Stars Pageant and Fashion Show every year.
Abigail Whelan and John Hearn dance onstage to the Chicken Dance.
John Hearn plays his guitar onstage during the pageant.
Sarah Laloo sang "Let It Go" for her pageant performance.
Sarah Laloo dances onstage with Vito Quadara Jr. and Thomas Quadara.
Tia McDonald and Shoshana Ravede lip sync to Katy Perry's "Roar" together.
Mary Kohl and Allyson Bennett are crowned pageant queens.
Thomas Quadara was crowned a king by a Miss U.S.A contestant.
Shaun Ciani, Joey Burnside, Brandon Daniels and Tony Porcelli are the pageant "Hound Dogs."
"I love you mom, this song is for you," said Kristie Chairavalle, who then gave a thumbs-up to her family after singing "Like a Fire."
Every year the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center hosts the Shining S.T.A.R.S. Pageant and Fashion Show for those with intellectual and mental disabilities of all ages. Each contestant gets a chance in the spotlight to sing, dance and receive a crown for being a shining star. Before each show the contestants are given the privilege to get their hair and makeup done free of charge at the International Academy of Hair Design.
“My daughters, Mikayla and Mikenna Rogers, look forward to this pageant every year. It has become a fun tradition for them, they get all dolled up with their hair and makeup professionally done, before going to perform onstage.”
CARA ROGERS
The idea to start the pageant originally sprung from a 10-year-old pageant queen.
“I started performing in pageants at a young age, and at that time my mother was a caretaker for a woman with disabilities named Mary Kohl,” said Tia McDonald, masterette of ceremonies for the Shining S.T.A.R.S. Pageant Show. “After every pageant I would go visit Mary, and she would be thrilled to try on my tiaras. So I came to my mom with the idea to start a pageant for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity.”
Thus the Shining S.T.A.R.S. Pageant began, and was later adopted by the City of Ormond Beach Department of Leisure Services Special Population Division. Mary, the inspiration for the pageant, has been in every show since its start.
Other pageant goers share the same enthusiasm for the show.
“My daughters, Mikayla and Mikenna Rogers, look forward to this pageant every year,” Cara Rogers said. “It has become a fun tradition for them, they get all dolled up with their hair and makeup professionally done, before going to perform onstage. We now have an ongoing collection of tiaras. The happiness that emits from them surrounding each show brings a tear to my eye.”
