Angelique Howell surprised Dr. Greg Hively of Moody’s Eye Care Associates on Thursday. Howell brought with her the trophy, sash and tiara she won at the Miss Junior Black America pageant earlier in July.
MOODY — When Angelique Howell captured the crown as Miss Junior Black America, her mother said the first person she wanted to see was Dr. Greg Hively, of Eye Care Associates.
“Every milestone she’s ever reached in her life, she’s come to see Dr. Hively and let him know,” Huntley said. “He’s been like a father to her.”
Howell, a 19-year-old Leeds resident headed for Jefferson State Community College’s nursing school in the fall, entered the July pageant with little expectation. She left with a sash, a tiara, a trophy and $25,000 to go towards her education.
“We had no idea we would’ve won,” Howell said. “I entered because I’d been in some local pageants and heard about it.”
Howell and her mother came to Eye Care Associates to surprise Hively, with whom they have a longstanding relationship.
“She calls him ‘Dad,’” Huntley said. “It’s because of him she wants to go into the medical field.”
Hively, definitely surprised, was also at a loss for words.
“I don’t really know what to say,” he said. “She’s (Howell) just wonderful. It’s a nice surprise.”
For her talent, Howell sang Keyshia Cole’s “Sent from Heaven.” Huntley said she believes that won her the title.
“One of the judges told her she should continue to sing,” Huntley said.
Howell finished school at age 16, and says she is ready to start anew.
“It (nursing school) sounds like it’s going to be fun,” she said.
