March 28, 2024

'We hope to be back next year'

State beauty pageant winners crowned

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“It feels amazing. I still cannot believe it,” a choked up Carlyn Bradarich said after winning the Miss Iowa USA 2014 title.

The Miss Iowa USA 2014 and Miss Iowa Teen USA 2014 pageants were held  Saturday and Sunday at Newton Senior High School’s Center for Performance and Sunday’s show had a standing room only crowd. Both Bradarich and Miss Iowa Teen USA 2014 winner Amanda Armstorng couldn’t contain their excitement after winning their respective competitions.

“I’m so excited for the journey and I proved so much to myself by doing this,” Bradrich said. “I’m so proud of myself and I’m so proud of all of these girls. There are so many pretty girls in this pageant. All together I am excited and ready for this journey.”

Both young women will receive significant bounties for winning their competitions. Bradarich and Armstrong will receive numerous scholarships, gift certificates, cosmetics, apparel, special training, and travel benefits from winning.

“I am definitely looking forward to going out and going to communities and helping out and supporting them,” Armstrong said. “I am excited to meet the new girls and I’m just excited to be the next Miss Iowa Teen.”

Other competitors from the top 15 also received scholarships and more than $1.3 million in scholarship money was given out to this year’s competitors.

Future Productions Co-Director Denise Wallace loved the way this year’s show turned out.

“I thought it was wonderful. I had a great time,” Wallace said. “I thought the show really showcased some amazing women from all over the state of Iowa and I think that we are blessed in this state to have so many giving, community based, beautiful, smart, amazing ladies. I think it was a good show.”

This was the third year in a row the contests were held in Newton and Armstrong spoke very favorably of the city.

“Oh my gosh, they were all so amazing. They just wanted all of us to do the best and they really supported us,” she said. “It was amazing to be in this town again, I’ve been here before, it’s just great to come back.”

Wallace also spoke favorably of Newton.

“They were awesome, every year it gets better and better,” Wallace said. “We are grateful for that. We are grateful to the Convention & Visitors Bureau and Linda Bacon, the mayor and all of those people that kind of helped make all of the pieces come together for us.”

“We are so grateful to all of the community businesses that sponsor or get involved and helped coordinate certain aspects,” she added. “And, of course, we are very, very grateful to the school for working with us.”

With great community support and packed crowds, the Miss Iowa USA and Miss Teen Iowa USA competitions could find a permanent location in Newton.

“My hope is that this will be our home,” Wallace said. “That’s what we are shooting for and we hope to be back next year.”

Staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641)792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com