Press Coverage
Article from Barrow Journal, Wed, April 25, 2012, Page 13A, "Board considers hosting award program for student volunteering."
 
 
 

2011 Miss Dacula Crowned Representatives Receive a Gwinnett County Commissioners' Resolution of Recognition for their volunteer service during their reign in 2011-2012.

May 22, 2012 - Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, Assistant Director Michelle Thornton, Elizabeth Kelsey, Monica Wolfe, Suzanne Thornton, Hope Crumley, Courtney Grap, Shelby Jack  (Missing: Ariana Utreras, Annie Stancel, Sophia Sasso, Charity Bandy, Hayley Wilson, Megan Chesne)
 

"New Pageant Director Vows to Preserve Integrity of

Miss Dacula Program ...

Sylvia Sasso plans to keep the legacy of the program moving forward"

January 16, 2012

 

"Mentoring Young Dacula Ladies in Leadership ...

Former Miss Dacula Program Director, Dawn Siska, gave the pageant a purpose"

January 12, 2012

Pageant Participants Honored for Volunteer Work

Young girls from the Miss Dacula program were recently recognized for their volunteer work in the community.
By Kristi Palmer
Dacula Patch
September 29, 2011

 

 

Participants in the Miss Dacula pageant program were recently recognized at the 66th annual Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) state conference. The Miss Dacula pageant representatives were honored for their volunteer work and accomplishments within the Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation division. Each year, GRPA honors members, agencies and volunteers for outstanding work and accomplishments.

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Dacula Remembers 9/11

Honoring the tragic anniversary with words of remembrance, community service and a living tribute.

By Jenn Harris

Dacula Patch

September 11, 2011

  


Several Miss Dacula Pageant members shared moving words of remembrance.  Credit: Jenn Harris




Mayor Wilbanks, Miss Dacula Pageant members, and Charles Orgbon.  Credit: Jenn Harris



Dacula residents, servicemen, and city officials gathered to remember 9/11.  Credit: Jenn Harris

Dacula pageant about volunteering, not beauty

By REBECCA McCARTHY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A beauty pageant for her daughter? No way, thought Lilianna Hilton. Her teenager, Jessy Mailloux, didn't need any more emphasis on beauty, thank you very much.

"But this has all been such a positive thing for her," Hilton says. "Now she's gung-ho about volunteering. It's really uplifting."

Welcome to the Miss Dacula Pageant, where winners don't just walk away with a crown and a few glamour photos. They really don't walk away at all, but spend months, if not years, participating in public service projects in Dacula and metro Atlanta and mentoring younger girls.

 
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Dacula High seeks veterans' names

By Rebecca McCarthy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dacula High School is looking for a few good men and women. Actually, it's looking for the names of military veterans who are graduates of the school.

 
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Dacula High seeks military veterans for book

By REBECCA McCARTHY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dacula High School is looking for all military veterans who graduated from the school to be included in a book about their service.

The school's PTSA sponsored the project to gather the names of Dacula veterans "so we never forget they served their country, and some made the ultimate sacrifice," said Dawn Siska, co-president of the PTSA. "We have 67 names so far but we know this is just a drop in the bucket."

 
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'We owe them': Thousands turn out to honor soldiers, veterans at parade

By Heather Darenberg
Staff Writer - Gwinnett Daily Post

DACULA - Sacrifice and freedom.

Those are two words we need to remember, said Marvin Atherton, the founder of the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade.

"We owe them to our veterans," Atherton said, minutes before the parade passed by the Gwinnett County fire station on Dacula Road.

Thousands of people lined the parade route to watch the 15th annual event. Classic cars, restored military vehicles, tractors and floats carrying beauty queens, scouts, sports teams and church groups passed by the crowds this year.

Lawrenceville resident Sam Defir and his wife, Teri, brought their son, 6-year-old Joshua, to the parade so he would learn what Memorial Day is all about - "the soldiers who gave their lives so we could have freedom," Defir said.
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Miss Dacula pageant opens registration early

By Ryan Crawford
Staff Writer
Gwinnett Daily Post

DACULA - Miss Dacula has opened its registration earlier than usual this year in response to the interest pageant directors have already received.

Registration for the 2008 Miss Dacula pageant began at the start of September. In past years girls couldn't sign up until the end of January.

"We opened our registration early this year just for the fact that my phone has been ringing off the hook," said Dawn Siska, the pageant's director.

Last year saw 178 girls participate in the pageant, and Siska said she is anticipating even more contestants this year.

Siska said opening registration early will give girls plenty of time to get sponsors. There is a $75 registration fee per contestant.
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Miss Dacula 2006 Award Winners

Article by Candice Felice, Neighborhood News - February 2007

 

A new 'Dawn' for Miss Dacula Pageant

Article by Candice Felice, Neighborhood News - March 2006