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The Magnolia Belle program was established in 1964 when young ladies in their senior year of high school were invited to act as goodwill ambassadors for the Magnolia Homes Tour Festival (now known as the Magnolia Days Festival). Belles wear antebellum period costumes, which add a touch of Southern grace and charm to the event. They are a highlight of Magnolia Days. The Magnolia Belles are formally presented to the community twice during the festival, once on Friday night and once on Saturday afternoon. After the Saturday afternoon presentation, the Belles visit the historical homes and properties on tour, greeting guests and taking photos.
 | KATE FARRIS Kate is the daughter of Jennifer Farris. She attends Columbus High School where she was active in soccer, tennis, swim, LEO’s and Spanish club. She also served as the captain of the varsity soccer team. After graduation she plans to attend Austin Community College and later transfer to a university to pursue a master's in communication sciences and disorders. “Being a Magnolia Belle to me, means being able to be a part of a Columbus tradition that helps the community and highlights the history of our town,” Farris said. Sponsored by Grasshopper Anesthesia Services |
 | EMERSON GLUECK Emerson is the daughter of Joseph and Ashley Glueck. She attends Columbus High School where she served as the National Honor Society historian, International Thespian Honor Society vice president, editor and past president of yearbook and altar server at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church since 2017. She was also active in art club, Cardinals in Action and UIL Academics where she competed in news writing, copy editing and feature writing. During her high school career, she was awarded the Bluebonnet Girls state delegate, one act play regional qualifier, all-star technician and best tech crew overall. After graduation she plans to attend The University of Texas in Lubbock where she will pursue a dual major in architecture and business. “Becoming a Magnolia Belle gives me an opportunity to give back to the community that raised me,” Glueck said. “Columbus is a town filled with a rich history, and I am honored to continue a tradition started many years ago.” Sponsored by SilverBarn |
 | AVA BLAIR HEFFLEY Ava is the daughter of Will and Amy Heffley. She attends Columbus High School where she played two years of volleyball, four years of basketball (three years varsity starter) and two years in track. She was also active in the science club. Her honors received include back to back state semi-finalist in 2023 and 2024; second team all-district honors in 2023, 2024 and 2025; first team all-district honors in 2025 and 2026; academic all-district honors in 2024, 2025 and 2026; and third overall placement at district track meet in 2026 (area track qualifier). She was nominated to the 2025 homecoming court and voted most popular by the Class of 2026. After graduation, she plans to attend Texas Tech University to seek a major in business with a focus on marketing. “Being a Magnolia Belle means being a positive representative of the Columbus community and the traditions that make our town so special,” Heffley said. “To me, it shows kindness, respect and leadership while giving back through community service. As a senior in high school, I am honored to represent both my school and my community and be a role model for younger students to celebrate the values and traditions of Columbus.” Sponsored by Darmor Co. |
 | EZRA RICICAR Ezra is the daughter of Tim and Jessie Ricicar. She attends Columbus High School where she was active on the cheer team, LEO’s club, science club and FFA. She served as the FFA Historian and as an alter server at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. She was awarded grand champion senior showmanship at the 2026 FFA Show. After graduation, she plans to attend Texas State University to major in nursing and further pursue becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. When asked what being a Belle means to her, Ricicar said “I love just being able to help and give back to my community. It will also give me an opportunity to represent my community.” Sponsored by Uptown Roots Hair Salon |
 | MICAH EHLERT Micah is the daughter of Penny Vinklarek and Nick Ehlert. She attends Columbus High School where she was active in the National Honor Society, cheer team, FFA, LEO’s club, junior fair board and served as the 2025 Colorado County Fair Queen. She was awarded cheerleader of the week, two-time UCA (Universal Cheerleading Associated) All-American, Miss FFA and student of the six weeks. After graduation, she plans to attend Sam Houston State University to pursue a major in kinesiology and eventually become a physical therapist. “Being a Magnolia Belle means carrying myself with grace, kindness and pride in where I come from,” Ehlet said. “It’s about representing my community with a positive attitude, strong values and a willingness to serve others.” Sponsored by Cutting Edge |
 | KIYA BRACKIN Kiya is the daughter of Jennifer Brackin. She attends homeschool where she was an active member of the girl scouts, First Baptist Church youth group and 4-H. Her awards and honors include the girl scout bronze and silver award, first overall in sophomore and junior dance solo, first overall and double platinum for senior year solo, and first and second place for 4-H food challenge. After graduation, she plans to study dance science and marketing at RELLIS and then transfer to A&M University. She plans on obtaining a minor in Pilates, opening a Pilates studio and building a social and business redesign company. She wants to be a mother, a wife and a strong businesswoman. “Being a Magnolia Belle means embracing both leadership and tradition,” Brackin said. “It’s about representing my community and the women before me, with confidence while also dedicating my time to give back. It’s a unique experience that allows me to grow, serve and be a part of something so important to my community. I see it as a steppingstone into adulthood, where I can carry the lessons of service, grace and responsibility into my future.” Sponsored by Bonetti Explosives |
 | JULISSA MARTINEZ Julissa is the daughter of Ana S. Salvador and Joel R. Martinez. She attends Columbus High School where she was a member of the science club, Spanish club, art club, Cardinals in Action, LEO’s, videography, garden club, marching band and Columbus Oaks Healthcare committee. She also volunteers her time at the Santa Claus Museum, Columbus Oaks Assisted Living, the concession stand, 5K run, Tru Care Living Centers bingo and Nesbitt Memorial Library and was the assistant cheer coach for the Columbus Youth Football and Cheer League (CYFCL). After graduation, she plans to attend Texas A&M University in Victoria and major in nursing. “Being a Magnolia Belle means a lot to me by representing the history of the past of the Columbus Magnolia Festival,” Martinez said. Sponsored by Keyser’s Market |
 | MAKAYLA WOLLERY-PRICE Makayla is the daughter of Brad Hajdik. She attends Columbus High School where she was active in science club, FFA and volleyball. She also served as basketball team manager, softball team manager, cheer manager and student section leader. While in attendance, her special honors and awards include the A-B honor roll, A honor roll and academic all-district. After graduation, she plans to attend Texas State University to get a nursing degree and later become a CRNA or NICU nurse. “Being a Belle to me means that I hold responsibility and carry on a family tradition,” Wollery-Price said. “The tradition of Magnolia Days is so important to the community, and I am glad to be a part of that. To be able is a privilege, and I am so grateful to be one, and for the future, my children will become one.” Sponsored by Los Cabos Mexican Grill, Columbus |
 | SHELBY JOHNSON Shelby is the daughter of Ross and Kim Johnson. She attends Columbus High School and was active in student council, National Honor Society and FFA. Her special honors and awards include Star Greenhand recipient, FFA awarded chapter and Lonestar degree, honor roll, student of the six weeks and four-time state qualifier for FFA CDE team forages. After graduation, she plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in business administration. “To me, being a Belle means getting to represent my community and this organization to my best ability,” Johnson. “Attending many events and volunteering is how I try to set an example for younger kids and to help out my community.” Sponsored by Leyco Real Estate, LLC |
 | ANDREA ROSALES Andrea is the daughter of Maria Sanchez and Manuel Rosales. She attends Columbus High School where she was active in the LEO’s club, yearbook, art club, science club, Cardinals in Action, Cardinals for Christ, garden club, Spanish club, Cardinal Belles and soccer. She has also served at the local food pantry, Columbus Garden Club, Columbus Lions Club, Columbus Oaks Assisted Living and the Nesbitt Memorial Library. Her awards and honors include being inducted as the LEO’s club first president, yearbook president and officer positions in both the science and art clubs. She also received A/B honor roll. After graduation, she plans to attend Wharton County Junior College to pursue an education in the dentistry field. “Being a Magnolia Belle means that I get to be a part of a long-time tradition that has been a part of Columbus for a while now,” Rosales said. “I am proud to be a part of a tradition that has represented many Columbus alumnus.” Sponsored by Big Easy Ranch |
 | KATHARINE A. BURNETT Katharine is the daughter of Adam and Jamie Burnett. She attends Columbus High School where she was active in science club, LEO’s club, FFA, golf and powerlifting. Her special awards include being a four-time state qualifier in golf and being awarded Reserve Champion on a welding project for FFA. After graduation, she plans to attend Blinn College to complete her basics and then Texas A&M Corpus Christi. “Being a Belle to me is being able to have a little girl look up to me like I looked up to the Belles when I was younger,” Burnett said. “It makes me happy that some little girl will want to carry on this tradition like me.” Sponsored by Your Hometown Pharmacy |
