In the fall of 1961, I was in first grade at Gilkey Elementary School. Every year at the Gilkey Carnival, a king and queen were chosen. That year, I would represent my class. Every penny I collected was considered a vote.

Granny Morgan was hosting a corn shucking. My family went up to help and I tagged along with my empty mason jar. I did not have to say a word; I had two cousins doing all the talking. My little pint jar was starting to sing. Uncles Carl and Frank gave me a nickel. Uncle Hoke turned both his pockets inside out and gave me every cent he had.

I became Queen of Gilkey with the $10 worth of votes, alongside my classmate, Bobby Harris.

Phyllis Edwards, Union Mills, a member of Rutherford EMC