Miss Missouri candidates from across the state, their pageant directors and families will travel to the heart of Missouri June 9 to kick off a week filled with rehearsals, talent performances, interviews, and evening gowns at Missouri Military Academy.

The group includes Miss Audrain Tabitha Crain. She is studying communications and criminology and social justice at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Tabitha is the daughter of Tranna Shaughnessy and Terry Abbleby of Strafford.  

As part of the Sigma competition group, Tabitha will have her personal interview with the judges on Wednesday afternoon, followed by her on-stage question and evening gown on Thursday. During Wednesday’s preliminary competition, she will compete in fitness as well as perform her talent, a gymnastics routine for the judges and audience.

Since being crowned earlier this year, Tabitha has participated in a wide range of activities throughout her community as well as the Audrain County area, which her title covers. She has focused many efforts towards promoting SPUR, which is an organization to help survivors of domestic violence.  

Pageant week will begin Sunday, June 9 when the Miss Missouri candidates move onto the Missouri Military Academy’s campus. A few hours after moving in, they will not only participate in rehearsals, but they will also test their skillsets on the golf course during the Miss Missouri Golf Classic at The Oaks in Mexico.  Throughout the week, the Miss Missouri delegates will participate in a wide variety of activities, ending on Saturday afternoon with a meet and greet for area residents on the courthouse lawn, located in downtown Mexico.

The preliminary competition begins Wednesday, June 12 and will continue through Friday, June 14. The organization will crown the new Miss Missouri Saturday night, June 15, as it says goodbye to reigning Miss Missouri Hayley Leach.  After being crowned, the new Miss Missouri will begin a hectic schedule of preparations for the Miss America stage and competition, to be held later this year.  

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 more than $85,000 in scholarships between the Miss Missouri and Outstanding Teen programs.

Tickets for the Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen Pageants are available through the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 West Jackson Street or by calling 573-581-2765.