MEXICO, Mo - Teens from across the state of Missouri converged in Mexico, Mo. Monday to kick off rehearsals, preliminary competition, and crowning a new Miss Missouri’s Teen at a special arrival brunch. During the event, each delegate introduced her title, community service initiative, enjoyed spending time with fellow delegates, and listened to messages from Miss Missouri’s Teen Mallory Sublette and Miss Missouri Executive Director Alice Leonatti.

During the brunch, Miss Missouri’s Teen Executive Director Steve Wilson announced the finalists for the Cindy Baker Community Service Award. This $500 scholarship honors late Miss Missouri board member Cindy Baker and highlights the community service initiatives of a winning delegate. To be in the running for this scholarship, delegates submitted books and photos, showcasing their work and various projects relating back to their chosen community service initiative. The submissions were then judged by a panel of experts who ranked each submission.  The winner of the Cindy Baker Community Service Award will be announced Friday night during the finals of Miss Missouri’s Teen.

Among the finalists are:

Miss Southwest Missouri’s Teen Bryiar Callaway- She is the daughter of Brant and Karla Callaway of Republic. Bryiar, a student at Republic High School, chose to focus her community service initiative on overcoming food insecurity.

Miss Kansas City’s Teen Camryn Crist- She is the daughter of Matt and Shannon Crist of Moberly. Camryn, a student at Moberly High School, chose to focus her community service initiative on organ donation, #CheckYes4Life.  Through this initiative, Camryn has authored a coloring book called New Eye Rescue.

“My goal is to decrease the number of individuals on the national transplant waiting list and educating the younger generation about organ donation,” she said.

Miss Central Missouri’s Teen Anastasia Jones- She is the daughter of Clarissa and Kevin Stokes and Paul Jones of Henley. Anastasia is a student at Eugene Middle School. Her community service initiative’s name is “Read to Succeed."  This is an effort to help children succeed academically by stressing the importance of reading and helping them to develop a love for reading.

Miss Audrain’s Teen Bridget Caldwell- She is the daughter of Scott and Tara Caldwell of Florissant. Bridget is a student at Barat Academy in Chesterfield. Her community service initiative is “Bridge the Gap Between Youth and Heroes."

“It's my goal to encourage my generation to be more involved with our veterans, active military and their families whether it be volunteering at an event or simply spending time with these brave men and women,” she explained.  “Listening to their stories can help heal and we in turn gain knowledge of our history and learn to develop empathy.”

Pageant week continues Tuesday with rehearsals and preparations for the first night of preliminary competition at Missouri Military Academy Wednesday.  The organization will crown the new Miss Missouri’s Teen on Friday night.  After being crowned, the new Miss Missouri’s Teen will immediately begin preparations to compete on the national stage early in 2024.   

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

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