Mexico’s Own Miss Zona Rosa Callie Cox Among Winners at Night of Preliminary Competition at Miss Missouri

(Story Contribution to Leslie Meyer)

Preliminary competition continued for Miss Missouri candidates last night (Thursday) at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico.

The Miss candidates were divided into two groups, Sigma and Alpha. Members of the Alpha group competed in talent while members of the Sigma group competed in red carpet and on-stage question. The talent portion of the competition accounts for 35% of the overall score in the preliminaries. The red carpet and on-stage question is 15% of the candidates’ overall scores.

For the rookie talent award, the judges selected Miss Zona Rosa Callie Cox as the rookie award winner, she will receive a $250 scholarship. Callie sang “Feelin’ Good” for her talent. She is the daughter of Jamie and Lisa Cox of Martinsburg and is currently a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

(All Photo Credits to Ryan Miles of JC Productions)

The judges picked Miss Forest Park Christina Beard as the overall talent winner. Christina played “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on the fiddle. She will receive a $500 scholarship for winning this portion of the competition. Christina is the daughter of David and Jennifer Beard of Eldon. She is a recent graduate from Drury University.

The judges selected Miss Saint Louis’ Outstanding Teen Sarah George as the rookie evening gown and on-stage question winner. Sarah chose a teal ballgown and answered an on-stage question regarding her social impact statement, “Amplifying Silenced Voices through Advocacy.” She is the daughter of Geena George and Bijoy George of Ballwin.

The judges selected Miss Metro’s Outstanding Teen Ashley Berry as the overall evening gown and on-stage question winner. Ashley selected a teal ballgown with a beaded bodice to wear on stage. She answered a question regarding her social impact statement, “Teens in Politics.” Ashley is daughter of Mark and Amy Berry of Clinton. This is the second preliminary award Ashley won this week at MMA.

The judges selected Miss Forest Park’s Outstanding Teen Greta Clark as the rookie talent winner for the sash group. Greta danced a ballet en pointe. She is the daughter of Patrick and Dana Clark of Eureka, Missouri. She is currently a student at Eureka High School.

For the overall talent award in the sash group, the judges selected Miss Columbia’s Outstanding Teen Natalya Knoke who performed a lyrical dance. She is the daughter of Tri and Janet Knoke of Liberty. Natalya is a recent graduate of Liberty High School.

The preliminary competition ended last night for the Outstanding Teen contestants and the organization will crown the new Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen tonight. After being crowned, the new Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen will immediately begin preparations to compete on the national stage in Orlando later this summer.

On Saturday, reigning Miss Missouri Simone Esters will crown her successor. The new Miss Missouri will begin a hectic schedule of preparations for the Miss America stage, 100th anniversary celebration and competition, to be held later this year.