June 17, 2023

Preliminary competition in the Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen Pageant began Wednesday evening at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico. With one of the largest classes of Miss Missouri’s Teen history, 29 teens from across Missouri stepped onto the stage.

Miss Missouri’s Teen candidates were divided into two competition groups: the crown group and the sash group. Members of the crown group competed in the on-stage conversation and the evening wear portion of the competition.

The judges selected Miss Gateway’s Teen Greta Clark as the overall evening gown winner. She will receive a $250 scholarship. Clark wore a white beaded strapless gown with an organza side train. Clark, the daughter of Patrick and Dana Clark of Eureka, attends Eureka High School.

The judges selected Miss Mozingo Lake’s Teen Allie Hutchinson as the rookie award winner. Allie chose an ice blue ballgown with spaghetti straps and a full skirt. Allie is the daughter of Ben and Brooke Hutchinson of Lee’s Summit. As the rookie award winner, she will receive a $100 scholarship. Allie is a student at Lee’s Summit West High School.

Members of the sash group competed in the talent portion of the competition. The judges selected one delegate, Miss Mid-Missouri’s Teen Joesphine Kespohl of Columbia as the overall talent as well as the rookie talent winner. She will receive $450 in scholarships. For her talent, she performed a baton twirling routine.

Kespohl is the daughter of Chris and Jessica Kesphol of Columbia. She attends Hickman High School.

The preliminary competition continues Thursday and the organization will crown the new Miss Missouri’s Teen on Friday night. After being crowned, the new Miss Missouri’ s Teen will immediately begin preparations to compete on the national stage.

The Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization is one of the largest providers of scholarships to young women in the state. This year, the organization will award $85,000 in scholarships between the Miss and Outstanding Teen programs.

Tickets for the Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Teen Competitions as well as tickets for the week’s special events are available through the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 West Jackson Street or by calling 573-581-2765.