HARKER HEIGHTS — Little Mister Five Hills Swayze Gray, 5, and his father, Jonathan Gray, worked together to build his tip box for the lemonade stand that he planned to
The coronavirus pandemic hit small businesses especially hard. In the early weeks, consumers buoyed small businesses with gift card purchases and online fundraising campaigns. But as COVID-19 persisted and restrictions constrained operating hours, many independent businesses continued to struggle.
Through partnerships with the Miss Five Hills Scholarship Program, more than 100 local businesses are seeing increased foot traffic as contestants and winners are now using their gift cards to visit local stores while family members in attendance make purchases, boosting both income and an increasing customer base.
âI was excited to visit a couple new places I hadnât been to before and see all that they had to offer. No Limit Custom Print made our wonderful pageant t-shirts that we will wear to many events throughout the year, along with our garment bags, and contestant gift bags. I learned about the many things they offer and highly suggest you give them a visit,â Copperas
Preteen Miss Five Hills Dorianna Gilbert knew if she won one of the crowns at the 8th Annual Miss Five Hills Scholarship Pageant on March 27, she would tie another titleholder for having been selected by a panel of judges to wear the crown the third time, the most in the pageantâs history.
âI entered this pageant for a fourth time because I felt like it was time to get back out there again,â Gilbert said. âIâm much older now and I wanted to show everyone that I can go higher and compete with the older girls that I looked up to. I made a promise to myself that I would compete in 2021 because in 2020, I was busy filming for a television show and couldnât dedicate my time to the pageant that year.â