Contributed | April 2, 2026
CUERO, TX –The Cuero community gathered once again to celebrate one of our favorite hometown traditions — the annual Miss Cuero Pageant. Held on March 28 at the Cuero Performing Arts Center, this year marked the 45th Miss Cuero Pageant, a milestone that reflects decades of community pride, youth leadership, and local support.
With proud families cheering, cameras flashing, and plenty of excitement in the air, this year’s contestants shone on stage and represented DeWitt County with grace, confidence, and heart. The evening was guided by a familiar face — Brandy, the 2012 Miss Cuero Queen, who returned as the event’s emcee and brought her own sparkle and hometown charm to the stage.
Below are the official results for the 2026 Miss Cuero Court:
👑 Little Mister Cuero Division
• Little Mister Cuero: Maddox
• Grand Duke: Legend
• Duke: Karson
• Mr. Congeniality: Maddox
• Most Photogenic: Samuel
• Top Ad Sales: Maddox
👑 Little Miss Cuero Division
• Little Miss Cuero: Bella
• Grand Duchess: Brehn’Leigh
• Duchess: Ellie
• Miss Congeniality: Bella
• Most Photogenic: Bella
• Top Ad Sales: Addy
👑 Young Miss Cuero Division
• Young Miss Cuero: Charlene
• Grand Duchess: Paisley
• Duchess: Niylah
• Miss Congeniality: Niylah
• Most Photogenic: Charlene
• Top Ad Sales: Charlene
👑 Junior Miss Cuero Division
• Junior Miss Cuero: Gabriella
• Grand Duchess: Vexille
• Duchess: Brooklynn
• Miss Congeniality: Vexille
• Most Photogenic: Gabriella
• Top Ad Sales: Khloe
👑 Miss Cuero Division
• Miss Cuero: Leah
• Grand Duchess: Rilynn
• Duchess: Brittany
• Miss Congeniality: Joclyn
• Most Photogenic: Leah
• Top Ad Sales: Leah
Meet Miss Cuero Pageant Interview Judges
(Contributed photo)
Meet Miss Cuero Pageant Competition Judges
Meet Brandy Miss Cuero Pageant Emcee
Brandy, a 2012 Miss Cuero Queen, returned as the event’s emcee and brought her own sparkle and hometown charm to the stage.
Meet Melissa – Co‑Director of the Miss Cuero Pageant
Melissa serves as the proud Co‑Director of the Miss Cuero Pageant, bringing a lifelong passion for youth, education, and community involvement to the program. A 1996 graduate of Yorktown High School, Melissa’s own pageant experience — earning 1st Runner‑Up in both the 1994–1995 and 1995–1996 Miss Yorktown Pageants — helped shape her commitment to mentorship and personal growth for young women.
Melissa works for Cuero ISD at Cuero Junior High School, where she advocates for students and supports their academic and personal development. She is also continuing her own education through Graceland University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Science with a minor in Special Education.
Married to her husband, Jose, for 23 years, Melissa is a devoted mother to 18‑year‑old twins, both seniors at Cuero High School. Her dedication to family, education, and youth leadership forms the foundation of her work with the pageant.
As Co‑Director, Melissa strives to create a positive, encouraging, and empowering experience for every contestant. She is committed to helping young participants build confidence, celebrate their individuality, and grow through the opportunities the Miss Cuero Pageant provides.
Melissa will continue to serve as Co‑Director of the Miss Cuero Pageant Royalty, working alongside and under the direction of the Miss Cuero Board.
Meet Leticia – Miss Cuero Board Member
Leticia brings 25 years of community roots and a deep commitment to service to her role on the Miss Cuero Pageant Board. Originally from Port Lavaca and a graduate of Calhoun High School, she has made Victoria her home for more than two decades. She and her husband have been married for 32 years, and she proudly embraces her favorite title of all — grandmother to Levi and Olivia.
With over 20 years of experience in social work, Leticia currently serves as a Case Supervisor with Golden Crescent CASA, where she advocates for the safety and well‑being of children in foster care. Her background includes more than a decade of dedicated work supporting survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking. She holds a Psychology degree from the University of Houston–Victoria, grounding her work in compassion, advocacy, and trauma‑informed care.
Leticia also brings valuable pageant‑world experience, offering mentorship, confidence‑building, and leadership guidance to young women. Her insight and heart for youth development align perfectly with the mission of the Miss Cuero Pageant.
As a Board Member, Leticia is honored to serve and excited to help guide the next generation of Cuero royalty. She looks forward to supporting the continued growth, success, and positive impact of the Miss Cuero Pageant.
Meet Lindsey – Miss Cuero Board Member
Lindsey, was born and raised right here in Cuero, Texas. I’m a proud wife and blessed mom to three amazing boys — Gage, Gaden, and Gavin. For the past eight years, I’ve been the owner and operator of Little Saints Preschool, where I’ve had the joy of helping little ones learn, grow, and shine.
“I’m so excited and truly honored to serve on this year’s Miss Cuero Board. Being part of a tradition that celebrates our community and its spirit is something I’m very proud of. I look forward to a great year ahead!”
Meet Sadie – Miss Cuero Board Member
Sadie is a devoted mother of three, a respected community leader, and a passionate advocate for empowering young people. A former member of the Miss Golden Crescent Board, she remains committed to helping youth build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self — no matter what challenges they face.
Her dedication to mentorship extends well beyond pageantry. Sadie has coached youth soccer, served as a T‑ball coach through Cuero Little League, and continues to support local schools and community events. Wherever there is an opportunity to guide, encourage, or lead, Sadie shows up.
A successful entrepreneur, Sadie owns Rendezvous Boutique & Marketplace, a long‑standing Cuero favorite she proudly acquired in June. She is also launching Posh Petals, a live floral pop‑up experience debuting in February, with plans to expand into a permanent floral corner inside the boutique by fall.
In addition, Sadie owns Polished Cleaning Co., serving residential, commercial, and industrial clients across DeWitt County, Lago Vista, Sugar Land, and North Austin. Through PALS (Personal Assistant Liaison Services), she provides specialized administrative and business support in collaboration with agencies such as the Secretary of State, IRS, and state comptrollers.
Sadie has completed initial EMS and Fire training and holds an MBA from Rice University, reflecting her commitment to leadership, service, and lifelong learning.
Having personally overcome bullying, Sadie draws strength from her faith and uses her experiences to inspire young people to grow in confidence, character, and life skills. Under her guidance, participants learn that whether or not they wear a crown, they walk away stronger, more capable, and equipped for the future.