The 2025 Miss Akron Fourth of July court was announced during the evening pageant. From left are first runner-up Averie Montel, Queen Autumn Parker and second runner-up and Miss Congeniality Shelby Cahill. Photo by Libby Hubbard.

By Libby Hubbard
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Autumn Parker was crowned the 2025 Miss Akron Fourth of July Queen during Sunday’s pageant at the Akron Community Center.

Autumn Parker reacts as she is crowned the 2025 Miss Akron Fourth of July Queen. Photo by Libby Hubbard.

Parker, the daughter of Leslie and Liz Bannister of Akron, will begin her senior year at Tippecanoe Valley High School this fall. She has played volleyball for nine years and competes competitively with the Empowered club team in Fort Wayne. After graduation, she plans to pursue criminal justice in college while continuing volleyball.

As Queen, Parker earns a $100 scholarship and will represent the community during Akron’s Fourth of July parade, set for 11 a.m. Friday.

Joining Parker on the court are first runner-up Avarie Montel, daughter of Ashley Heinzmann and Adam Montel, and second runner-up and Miss Congeniality Shelby Cahill, daughter of Trudy and Terry Cahill.

This year’s queen pageant featured seven contestants: Cahill, Montel, Parker, Jayden Yarian, Jasmine Fuller, Karley Hallstrom and Chaney Miller.

Megan Meinert, from Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Health Services, served as emcee.

Judges for the evening included Maribeth Nelson, SHRM-CP of the Kosciusko County Human Resources Association; Abigail Kelham, 2019 Marshall County Blueberry Festival Queen; and Carleigh Freeman, a 2008 Warsaw graduate and Edgewood Middle School teacher.

The 2024 Miss Akron Fourth of July, Sarah Finney, walks on stage. Photo by Leah Sander.

The pageant followed the annual Mister Firecracker and Miss Sparkler contests, which crowned Kaiden Arnett, son of Stephanie Mikel and Daniel Arnett, and Emalee Hobbs, daughter of Krystle and James Hobbs.

Winners of the Las Donas Club’s Penny-a-Vote Cute Baby Contest were also recognized:

• First Place: Liberty Daulton, daughter of Paige and Krys Daulton.
• Second Place: Collyn-Grace Borg, daughter of Kaitlyn Borg.
• Third Place: Lakelyn Ringle, daughter of Jordan Ringle.

The baby contest entries were displayed at Akron Lake City Bank from June 20 to June 28, with awards presented on Sunday, June 28.

The 2024 Akron Queen, Sarah Finney, returned to the stage for her last duties in crowning the court at the event, which featured patriotic-themed categories and evening gown presentations.