Starkville High School senior, Crosby Taylor was crowned the 2026 Miss Yellow Jacket at the annual pageant on Saturday. Eight contestants participated in the annual beauty review where judges also named three alternates and awarded the "Spirit of Miss Yellow Jacket" honor. Miss Yellow Jacket represents Starkville High for one year at various school and community events such as the Starkville Christmas and Homecoming Parades.
Crosby is the daughter of Jetson and Bryn Taylor. She is a member of the Starkville High School Varsity Cheer squad, Diamond Girls, National Honor Society and National Beta Club. She is a three-time UCA All-American Cheerleader and currently serves as Miss Capital City's Teen. She is also a longtime member of the Junior Auxiliary Crown Club and First Presbyterian Church youth group. Crosby volunteers with the Bedz 4 Kidz program which provides beds for children in need. She also serves children and youth in the community by leading cheer instruction at ACPA for young girls. Crosby plans to attend Mississippi State University after high school graduation and major in Mechanical Engineering.
In addition to crowning Miss Yellow Jacket, guest judges also named SHS senior Addyson Vickers as 1st Alternate, freshman Cathryn Ryder as 2nd Alternate, and senior Jamea McDowell as 3rd Alternate. Senior Maddie Butler was awarded the Spirit of Miss Yellow Jacket honor.
Prior to the Miss Yellow Jacket pageant, SOCSD also hosted the Junior Miss Yellow Jacket pageant for 8th graders at Armstrong Junior High School and the Young Miss Yellow Jacket pageant for 6th and 7th graders at Partnership Middle School. The following participants were honored:
Armstrong Junior High School:
2026 Junior Miss Yellow Jacket – Lyla Harrelson 1st Alternate – Maci Seymour 2nd Alternate – Alyssa Akers 3rd Alternate – Khloe Wyatt Most Photogenic – Astaria OBryant Spirit of Miss Yellow Jacket – Ryleigh Ball
Partnership Middle School:
2026 Young Miss Yellow Jacket – Hattie Abraham 1st Alternate – Raigen Watt 2nd Alternate – Mackenli Neal 3rd Alternate – Blakelee Stephens 4th Alternate – Mackenzie Hanko Most Photogenic – Sadie Wilson Spirit of Miss Yellow Jacket – Alyson Quinn
