By Paige Gurgainers

The Young Women’s Service Club (YWSC) of Minden will soon host the annual Miss Minden and Miss Minden Teen Pageant, an event that celebrates leadership, scholarship and service among young women throughout the region. The pageant, a long-standing community tradition, will take place on January 17 at the Minden High School Auditorium, bringing together contestants who exemplify character, commitment and a heart for service.

Among this year’s Miss Minden Teen contestants is Abigail Basham, a high school sophomore from Haughton whose quiet determination and community-minded spirit have shaped both her goals and her approach to leadership.

Abigail believes that strong communities are built not only through visible achievements, but through the unseen work that supports and strengthens others. Her Community Service Initiative is rooted in that philosophy, as she works behind the scenes to assist her local fire department, helping enhance outreach and education so first responders can remain focused on protecting and caring for their community.

Guided deeply by her faith, Abigail strives to serve in a way that helps people feel seen, valued, and encouraged. Whether through leadership roles, storytelling, or volunteer efforts, she approaches service with empathy and purpose, believing that true impact comes from connection and compassion.

Her goal, she says, is not recognition, but responsibility – using her gifts to lift others up and strengthen the community around her.

As she prepares to step onto the Miss Minden Teen stage, Abigail carries that same quiet resolve and sense of mission with her; representing not only herself, but the values of service, humility, and wholehearted dedication to others.

The Miss Minden and Miss Minden Teen Pageant are hosted each year by the YWSC whose mission centers on service, leadership development and community investment. Winners serve throughout the year as ambassadors at civic events, outreach initiatives, local programs and will move on to compete in Miss Louisiana later in the year.