After three nights of intense competition, it was down to the top two. As they stood center stage, all eyes on them, the reality that either of them could win the crown set in.

Miss Branson’s Teen Greta Clark of Eureka, daughter of Patrick and Dana Clark, knew she won Miss Missouri’s Teen after Miss Kansas City’s Teen Anna Hall of Branson was named first runner up.

“Tears down my face – that's all I felt,” Clark said. “My body went numb.”

Clark is a graduate of Eureka High School and a rising sophomore at the University of Missouri where she studies health sciences on the pre-professional track on her way to become an orthodontist. She was awarded a $7,000 scholarship with her title.

“I am just so grateful I was holding hands with one of my best friends,” Clark said. “It truly is an unreal feeling – it still doesn't feel real.”

When she was 13 years old, Clark began competing in pageants.

“My mom competed so I did it for her as something fun,” Clark said. “Now I am here five years later and it has been such a good experience.”

This is Clark’s fourth year competing in Miss Miss Missouri’s Teen but she has competed in so many local pageants over the years, she couldn't name them all if she tried. Her first year was 2021 when Ashley Berry won Miss Missouri’s Teen.

“I have seen so many girls go through this,” Clark said. “I have loved every single one of them and it has just been a highlight being able to watch all of them.”

For her talent, Clark performed a lyrical dance to “When Your Feet Don’t Touch the Ground” by Ellie Goulding. She said dancing on stage was the highlight of her week.

“I have been dancing since I was 3 years old, so I knew that dance was exactly what I wanted to do,” Clark said. “I felt comfortable with myself – I felt good in my own skin being able to do that dance and I just love performing for others.”

Lyrical dance was a new experience for Clark, who had always performed ballet or jazz.

“I had never done lyrical before in my life but I was just really drawn to it,” Clark said. “It made me feel very confident and I was excited to do something like that.”

Clark found that confidence and flair for on-stage performance as a result of the Miss America Organization.

“I was the shy 6-year-old girl who would refuse to talk to anybody, wouldn't order my own drink at Starbucks, I was terrified and this organization really made me go out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Now I'm speaking to people, I'm making friends and I'm with people I never thought I would have the opportunity to because of this organization.”

As a supporter of the Ronald McDonald House and a Meals from the Heart volunteer since she was 12 years old, Clark’s community service initiative is empowering youth to strengthen communities.

“I just wanted youth to know that they should be involved in their community and we can find different volunteer activities for them to be involved in,” Clark said.

Clark said that maybe one day she will go for the Miss Missouri title but for now, she’s going to slow down, enjoy her year as Miss Missouri’s teen, and take it step by step.

“What a great person,” said Miss Missouri’s Teen 2024 Bridget Caldwell, referring to Clark. “She is so kind, so sweet and I loved her on stage question about sisterhood, so I was excited to see her win.”

Caldwell not only had the honor of crowning Clark, but she also got to compete alongside her for two years.

For Caldwell, the night wasn’t about giving up her title but rather passing on a year of once-in-a-lifetime experiences to the next amazing young woman.

“It is very sad for me, but I am excited to support her and see her grow this year,” Caldwell said.

That concludes the 2025 Miss Missouri’s Teen. They will take the stage one more night to welcome the Miss Missouri delegates in their opening number.

Saturday night’s show will include on stage questions before naming the top 11 who will compete in all phases of competition before one lucky woman will be crowned.

Also recognized Friday night were the following scholarship recipients:

Miss Missouri’s Teen Fourth Runner Up: Emme Hill
Miss Missouri’s Teen Third Runner Up: Celia Medeiros
Miss Missouri’s Teen Second Runner Up: Mariah Turner
Miss Missouri’s Teen First Runner Up: Anna Hall
Cindy Baker Community Service Award: Anastasia Jones
Digital Strategist Award: Anna Hall
Photogenic Award: Emme Hill
Legacy Award: Emme Hill
Shae Smith Style Award: Mariah Turner
Spirit of Miss Missouri Teen and Miss Congeniality: Avery Trower
Whipple Family “Teens in Action” Award: Anastasia Jones
Songbird Award: Aubrey Gorman
Kensie Garber Saunders Teen Dancing Queen Award: Greta Clark
Halie Hebron Teen Overall Rookie Talent Award: Maggie Banester
Alexis Piskulic Overall Talent Award: Maggie Banester

For more photos, see The Mexico Ledger's online photo galleries.