Jade Naomi Gilbo, 17, grasped the hands of Katie Roark and anxiously waited on stage Nov. 20 as hosts of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Miss Tomball Pageant revealed the name of Miss Tomball 2011. Gilbo could not believe it was happening to her she said.

Gilbo won Miss Tomball 2011 becoming the first African American to win the title and represent the city.

Gilbo, a junior at Tomball High School (THS), had been preparing for the Miss Tomball Pageant since January and was one of 33 contestants competing this year. She said she was inspired by last year’s Miss Tomball and friend Brooke Hopper to reach this goal.

“Brooke really made me want to do this,” Gilbo said. “She told me to keep smiling, don’t be nervous and go out there and shine.”

Many friends told Gilbo she deserved the honor, but her reply isn’t what most would expect.

“I won for us, not just me,” she said. “These girls had a lot of courage to go out there.”

Pictured, Gilbo winning Miss Tomball 2011 at the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Miss Tomball Pageant Nov. 20 at Salem Lutheran Church.

At a reception following the pageant, family and friends surrounded Gilbo wanting pictures and hugs. Proud grandmother Dessie Mitchell kept squeezing her hand and kissing her cheeks.

On Monday, upon returning to school, Gilbo was unsure of what to expect and kept a modest attitude, but everyone else had nothing but happy shouts and positive comments to share with her, she said.

“As soon as I walked in I heard ‘Hey, Miss Tomball,’” Gilbo said. “Football players huddled around me so others couldn’t bump me.”

Gilbo said she shares lunch with second runner-up, Lacey Easley and several volleyball players who were all excited for her.

On stage, Gilbo described herself as passionate, knowledgeable and free-spirited.

“I’m passionate because I care a lot about other people and I would give the clothes off my back. I am free-spirited because I never hold grudges, never stay mad and I am knowledgeable because I have learned a lot from my mother and have learned a lot growing up,” Gilbo said.

However, as a member of the community Gilbo described herself as outgoing, funny, big-hearted and someone her friends never have a dull moment with.

“I guess I am not someone you would expect to win,” Gilbo said.

Gilbo put the spotlight on her mother when she said her proudest moments were watching her mother, a single parent, get up every day to take care of her.

Gilbo has lived in Tomball since 2002. She played volleyball at THS for two years, then turned her attention to tumbling. She is also involved with the Business Professionals of America.

Gilbo hopes to attend either the University of Houston or the University of Texas after graduation. Her goal is to become a dentist.

“I want to make sure everyone has a pretty smile and confidence in themselves,” she said.

Gilbo revealed she did not have a coach to help her prepare for the Miss Tomball Pageant.

“My mom would read my questions and I would practice in the mirror, answering and saying who I was,” Gilbo said.

As far as the next steps for Miss Tomball 2011, Gilbo hopes to do a lot of community work.

“I want to get involved and get everyone involved,” she said.

As Hopper took her last walk across the stage, she advised the future Miss Tomball of one final disclaimer.

“You only have 365 days to be Miss Tomball and it goes by fast,” Hopper said.

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