On Sept. 29, Saturday evening, 18 young women from all across Columbia and Boone County came together at the Columbia Performing Arts Center to compete for the title of Miss Columbia, Miss Boone County, Miss Columbia Outstanding Teen and Miss Boone County Outstanding Teen.
Rachel Spulings, who danced to, “Say Yes” was crowned Miss Boone County Outstanding Teen. Charlee Bisch, who sang, “Blue Skies,” was crowned Miss Columbia Outstanding Teen next. Afterward, Maikieta Brantley, who gave a monologue titled, “What If I Am?” was crowned Miss Boone County, and Jenny Zweifel, who sang, “Electricity,” was crowned Miss Columbia.
The 18 young ladies, ranging in age from 13 to 24, filed onto the stage Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
The competitions the girls competed in were lifestyle and fitness, talent, interview and formal wear. The judges asked each girl a question concerning a current event or something that the girl had pulled from the “glitzy fishbowl” of questions. Talents ranged from dance and song for teens to piano and speech monologues for Miss Columbia and Miss Boone County contestants.
Emcee Amanda Williams provided commentary, trying to keep the crowd energetic even late into the evening.
Many girls compete in the pageant for scholarships and life skills. These include interviews, networking, building a sense of community and being able to stand up for something they believe in via their platform.
“The pageant is an excellent way to perform in front of people you don’t know,” board member Michelle Murphy said, “and improve upon these skills.”
By Lauryn Kamler