Meet the Class of 2026 Miss St. Agnes Court

On Saturday, February 21, we will hold the annual Miss St. Agnes dance at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. That evening, the member of the Class of 2026 that has been chosen as Miss St. Agnes will be announced.

Miss St. Agnes is a special honor bestowed annually since 1946 on a senior who has been nominated by her classmates and voted on by the student body. The nominees for this honor exhibit personal qualities that reflect integrity, strength of character, and respect for self and others, as well as a devotion to St. Agnes Academy that is exemplified by leadership and support for the school. 

Congratulations to all the young ladies who have been nominated to the 2026 Miss St. Agnes Court: Maria Brown, Teiona Echols, Gabby Gault, Ava Maples, Morgan Paige, Abby Shearin, Grace Togbo and Lilliana Vescovo.

Maria Brown

Maria has participated in many campus programs in support of SAA, serving as a Peer Mentor, a Student Ambassador, and a Teaching Assistant. She has been a Class Officer all four years. Maria is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the Spanish Club and was awarded a silver medal on the National Spanish Exam. She is also a member of the Beta Club, English Honor Society, the Art Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Maria participates in Stars for Life, Forever Friends, HOSA and the Pep Club, and sings with the Liturgical Choir. She has been awarded the St. Catherine of Siena award twice for exemplifying the Four Dominican Pillars in her daily life. She recently served as a Table Leader and Co-Director of SEARCH for the Diocese.

Teiona Echols

An accomplished musician and vocalist, Teiona shares her talents with the SAA community as well as the greater Memphis community. On campus she is a member of the Ladies First vocal group and participates in the Liturgical Choir. Off campus she is an active member of the Stax Music Academy and the Memphis Jazz Workshop. She has performed music independently for several years and has participated in many musical talent competitions, including SAA’s Got Talent where she has won the box vote and the judge’s vote within the past two years. Teiona is a member of the National Beta Club, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She is a member of the SAA Black Student Union, the Multicultural Club, and the Memphis Black Arts Alliance.

Gabby Gault

Gabby has been an active member of the SAA-CBHS Cheer Team for three years, participating on the JV, Varsity, and Competition teams. She was awarded the Caroline Conrad Crush It Award for school spirit. She is a member of the Beta Club, Key Club, Art Honor Society, and National Honor Society. She has served her class and SAA in many roles: Student Ambassador, Retreat Leader, Teacher Assistant, and Class Officer. She has served three years as a Spirit Week Committee Head. Gabby is a member of the Government Club, participating in both Youth in Government and Model UN. Gabby participates in Forever Friends and the Paws for a Purpose Club, a group dedicated to helping dogs and local wildlife.

Ava Maples

Ava has established herself as a leader in the Student Government Association, serving as Secretary, Business Manager, and now President. She has also led the Black Student Union for two years as President. Ava participates in Bridge Builders and Girl Up, empowering youth to make a difference. Ava is a member of the Beta Club, Spanish Honor Society, Art Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Thespian Honor Society. She serves SAA as a Peer Mentor and a Student Ambassador. Ava performs vocally as a member of the Starlettes and Ladies First ensembles and participates in the Liturgical Choir. She is an active member of the SAA Theatre Department and represented the school as a performer at the Orpheum High School Theatre Awards in 2025.

Morgan Paige

Morgan has embraced many pursuits on the SAA campus, from athletics to the arts. She has been a member of the SAA-CBHS Varsity and Competition Cheer Teams for four years, serving as Captain her freshman and sophomore years. Morgan performs with the Ladies First and Starlettes vocal ensembles and participates in the Liturgical Choir. She has performed on stage in productions with both the SAA and CBHS Theatre Departments. Morgan has also filled significant leadership roles as Vice-President of the Black Student Union and SGA Creative Director (three years). She serves SAA as a Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor and Retreat Leader. She is a member of the Thespian Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Pep Club, and Stars in Business.

Abby Shearin

Abby has been awarded both the Dominican Torch Award and the St. Catherine of Siena Award for exemplifying the Four Dominican Pillars in her daily life. She currently serves as Senior Class Chaplain, helping her fellow students to grow in their faith, and recently served as a SEARCH Table Leader for the Diocese. Abby is a member of the Beta Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, English Honor Society and Latin Honor Society. She is the Vice-President of the Latin Club and the Co-president of Girl Up. Abby contributes to the SAA community as a Retreat Leader and a Peer Mentor. She was awarded the Caroline Conrad Crush It Award for school spirit. Abby is a member of Forever Friends, Stars for Life, and Paws for a Purpose.

Grace Togbo

An accomplished dancer with Ballet Memphis since 2019, Grace shares her artistic abilities with our community as an active member of the SAA Theatre Department and a performer in the Ladies First and Starlettes vocal ensembles. She also participates in our Liturgical Choir. Grace serves SAA as a Peer Mentor and Retreat Leader and has served as a Class Officer for two years. She has taken on leadership roles this year as Girl Up Co-President and President of the Multicultural Club. Grace is a member of the Beta Club, the French Honor Society and the Thespian Honor Society. She was awarded the Certificat d'Honneur three years for her performance on the National French Exam.

Lilliana Vescovo

Lilliana has been named an AP Scholar with Honor and was awarded the Yale book award as a junior. She actively participates in SAA Science Department programs, namely the award-winning Canstruction Team, the STEM Club and the HOSA Club, currently serving as its Vice-President. She is also an accomplished artist, winning awards in the Scholastic Art Awards Competition, BRACE Art Competition and Delta Fair Art Competition. Lilliana is a member of the Beta Club, the English Honor Society, the Art Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She has served the SAA community as a Student Ambassador, a Retreat Leader, and a Teaching Assistant. Lilliana has been a member of Angels Among the Stars for four years and currently serves as the club’s President.