American Pageants crowned a state titleholder effective May 1, 2018 in Benton, Arkansas. 7-year-old Amelia Lisowe of Benton was crowned Little Miss of Arkansas 2018.
Candidates competing for the title are judged in four distinct categories: Scholastic Achievement, School Activities and Community Service, Personality Poise and Projection, and Interview.
President Sunny Hill stated: “This pageant is not a beauty pageant, with sixty percent of our judging completed prior to the judges even seeing the young ladies. The American Pageants Organization highlights achievement and promotes confidence in the leaders of tomorrow.”
Amelia will attend a titleholder event in Atlanta, Georgia in June to represent the state of Arkansas. Highlights of the weekend will include a service project with a special needs pageant, titleholder meet and greet and photo shoot, and a visit to the Georgia Aquarium.
Amelia will compete for the title of Little Miss of America in Orlando, Florida in November 2018. Her platform for the year is “Spread a Little Joy.” The program will focus on challenging others to spread joy in small ways and to remind children her age that even though they are small, they can still make the world a better place. Outside of being a titleholder, Amelia enjoys being a three-year member of the Arkansas Dance Center company, participating in the Young Players theater program, taking gymnastics, and playing outside with her big brother.
The Miss Teen of America Scholarship and Recognition Pageant was founded in 1983 by Mr. Warren Alexander, a former educator and pageant director, and designed to help America’s youth reach their full potential. This scholastically based pageant recognizes young women for their outstanding personal achievements, leadership abilities, and artistic, creative or athletic talents. With no judging focused on beauty or attire, the pageant strives to promote confidence and an Accent on Achievement.
In 2017, the Miss Teen of America Organization rebranded as American Pageants to include additional age divisions: Little Miss of America (ages 7-9), Young Miss of America (ages 10-12), Junior Miss of America (ages 13-15), Miss Teen of America (ages 16-18) and Miss of America (ages 18-22).