On Saturday, November 5th, young women from across the state came to compete for the titles of Miss Missouri Junior High, High School, and Collegiate America 2017. The title of Miss Missouri Junior High School America was awarded to St. James Middle School student Abilene Lortz, who also won Most Photogenic, People's Choice, Overall Private Interview, Overall Fashion Runway, and Overall Evening Gown.
By The Rolla Daily News Reports -
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On Saturday, November 5th, young women from across the state came to compete for the titles of Miss Missouri Junior High, High School, and Collegiate America 2017. The state pageant was held at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon. There were 22 contestants who participated in the event which included a private interview, fashion runway, and evening gown competitions. The goal of the organization is to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women across the country. The title of Miss Missouri Junior High School America was awarded to St. James Middle School student Abilene Lortz, who also won Most Photogenic, People's Choice, Overall Private Interview, Overall Fashion Runway, and Overall Evening Gown. “I am honored to have been chosen as Miss Missouri Junior High School America 2017. One of my goals is to visit each veterans home in Missouri and play the piano for the veterans. This is something I have been doing at the St. James Veterans Home and the veterans, their families, and employees are all very supportive and encouraging.” Abilene is a member of the St. James 7th grade girls basketball team and Team Blackout 2022. She is a straight A student and enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing, playing the piano, and singing in the St. James Middle School Honor Choir. Throughout the next year she will be traveling across the state of Missouri making appearances and speaking on behalf of the national platform BRAVE (Building Respect and Values for Everyone), an anti-bullying campaign. “To me the most important aspect of BRAVE is that everyone deserves respect regardless of their differences and I’m excited to share that message.”
Abilene and her new sister queens, Miss Missouri High School America - Danielle Stanfield, and Miss Missouri Collegiate America - Holly Sprow, will represent the state of Missouri at the national competition in Little Rock Arkansas in July of 2017.