For the ninth year, the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant will take to the stage at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center. The state competition is a preliminary to the Miss America Pageant, the largest source of scholarship money to young women in the world.
“Our young women rely on the scholarships we provide to continue their schooling,” said Marni Lemons, director of public relations and social media for the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant. “It also really helps build character in young women and teaches them to know themselves and their own minds and really just be the best person they can be.”
This year, 32 contestants will compete for the Miss Indiana title Saturday. On Friday, 26 teens between the age of 13 and 17 will compete for Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen title.
“We are helping to create confident young women who are prepared to go out and be leaders in their communities,” Lemons said. “You cannot succeed in the Miss America organization unless you are talented and have drive – both important things we look for in leaders.”
One woman who knows what it takes to succeed – in the pageant and life – is Katie Stam. In 2008 Stam, of Seymour, was crowned Miss Indiana, and in 2009 became Indiana’s first Miss America.
“Miss America is the epitome of the all-American dream. I’m so humbled to have served this amazing organization,” said Stam, Miss Indiana 2008 and Miss America 2009. “I would encourage anyone to get involved – as a princess, a titleholder, a volunteer or even just as a spectator. I believe it will change your life!”
“I think the reason our program is thriving is because she (Stam) has been such a great representative for our state,” Lemons said. “She still travels and makes appearances and is still very much in demand.”
In 2012, MerrieBeth Cox of West Lafayette, was crowned Miss Indiana. She went on to place in the top 12 in the Miss America pageant.
“I could never have had the wonderful opportunity to serve as Miss Indiana if this program hadn’t helped me to believe in myself and to learn that no dream is too big,” Cox said. “This year has meant the world to me, and I’m having a hard time believing it’s almost over.”
“These girls really are fantastic and are in it for the right reasons,” Lemons said.
Lemons said the girls also enjoy their time in Zionsville, which has been a “perfect partner” for the pageant.
“We have girls from Evansville, New Albany, Valpo, Angola – you get all corners of the state so Zionsville is centrally located and you have Indianapolis right next door so you have a sizeable audience from Central Indiana,” she said. “We love the wonderful small town charm and feel of the town of Zionsville yet it also has the big city atmosphere. We love doing the parade down the bricks of Main Street – it’s just so cool and exciting for the girls.”
For ticket information and more information about the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant, go to www.missindianapageant.com.
By Chris Bavender
