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Marquavious Sellers and Kayeligh Willis were named the Mr. and Miss Teen Jubilee on March 2 at Selma High School.

Sellers and Willis were crowned during a ceremony, shining above other contestants for their dancing and speaking performances. McKenzie Lewis, last year’s Miss Jubilee, crowned both Sellers and Lewis.

Sellers said his goal was to someday become a scientist and clean up the Queen City’s environment and pollution.  Willis said her ambition was improving the city’s poor economic climate. The two judges were impressed with their answers.

The contestants created effective video packages honoring the jubilee and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They proudly pointed out that then-President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, were the two biggest white allies for Martin Luther King, Jr. in his crusade to end racial injustice.

“Martin Luther King did not live to see his dream, we need to live out the dream that he set,” Lewis said. 

The Jubilee pageant underwent a change this year. The male portion of the contest was added with a renewed focus on improving leadership skills.