Jeni Dixon crowned Miss Audrain 2011Brittney Sears crowned Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen 2011
Left, Dixon Right, Sears
Photo by Brenda FikeBy BRENDA FIKE. Assistant Editor Mexico Ledger
The Miss Audrain Scholarship and Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen pageants were held Saturday night in the gymtorium at Missouri Military Academy for the first time, on the same stage where the Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant is held each June.
Six contestants competed for Miss Audrain, while four competed for Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen.
Jeni Dixon, 20, was crowned Miss Audrain 2011, and capturing the title of Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen was 16-year-old Brittney Sears.
Dixon, a junior Evangel University student, played “The Flight of the Bumblebee” and “Sway” on the marimba for her talent. Her platform as Miss Audrain will be “Awareness and Prevention of Skin Cancer.”
Dixon, is the daughter of Galen and Teresa Dixon, and her home town is Hartville.
After receiving the crown, Dixon graciously posed for pictures from family, other titleholders and the press. She said she was extremely happy to be the person to represent Miss Audrain at the state level. “I am feeling excited and am ready to begin preparing for Miss Missouri,” she stated.
Once the excitement of the event wears off, Dixon, who competed as Miss Branson in the 2010 Miss Missouri Pageant, is ready to return to the stage at MMA once again competing for the title of Miss Missouri.
Hillary Overfelt, 24, of Columbia, who sang “And I Am Telling You,” was the first runner-up to Miss Audrain. Others competing in the Miss Audrain Pageant were Emily Wood, 17, from Palmyra, who performed a clogging dance to “Smooth;” Nicole Buscher, 20, from St. Claire, who performed a musical theatre dance to “My Strongest Suit;” Ashley Skinner, 23, from Jackson, who sang “Loving is Really My Game;” and Emily Wicks, 19, of St. Louis who performed a dance and baton twirling performance to “Big Time.”
In addition to her crown, Dixon will receive a $1,000 scholarship a $150 wardrobe allowance for Miss Missouri, plus numerous other gifts and prizes, and the opportunity to compete at the state level in June. As first runner-up Overfelt received a $500 scholarship.
Brittney, daughter of Frank and Cindy Sears from Imperial is a sophomore at Windsor High School. For her talent she sang “Big and Loud.” Brittney who competed in the state pageant in 2008 when she held the title of Miss Branson, said she was surprised at her win Saturday. “I am shocked,” she stated, “but happy,” she added.
As Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen, Brittney received a $100 Savings Bond, in addition to numerous other gifts and prizes, and the chance to compete at the state level in June.
Other contestants for the teen pageant included: Megan McWilliams, 16, of Parkville who performed a ballet en Pointe to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga; Katie Whipple, 15, of Chesterfield who sang “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile;” and Audrey Langworthy, 15, of Auxvasse, who performed a lyrical dance to “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.
Before the crowning of the new titleholders, a People’s Choice award was presented to one contestant in each pageant. The recipient of the award for the Miss Audrain Pageant was Ashley Skinner; and the winner of the award in the teen pageant was Brittney Sears.
Emcees for the evening were Miss Audrain 2010 Abby Grimmett, and Bruce Oliver with appearances by Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen Courtney Thomure, and Miss Missouri 2010 Erika Hebron. Entertainment was presented by students of Janet’s Dance Studio.
Another first also took place at Saturday’s pageant when contestants were escorted by MMA cadets under an arch of sabers during the evening gown competition.
Judges for the program were Carole Weeks, Robert Cortez, Kathy Rothermich, Elizabeth Sims, Brendan Webber (Miss Audrain Judge only) and Donna Talley (Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen Judge only).
