Kassie Roland Wins International Girl Young Miss Beauty in Tulsa

Kassie Roland, 12, of Blodgett recently won International Girl Young Miss Beauty on July 24. Here she is at one of her first public appearances at Mid-America Transplant in St. Louis next to a wall of transplant recipients. Roland, a sixth-grader at Kelly Middle School plans to promote organ donation during her year-long adventure as IG Young Miss Beauty.

Kassie Roland, 12, of Blodgett was crowned the new International Girl Young Miss Beauty Winner on July 23 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Roland competed for a week in the natural competition against girls ages 10-12 from across the country. She competed in modeling, talent and interview.

She will be reigning for one year where she will make appearances at parades, performances, social gatherings and community service projects. The Kelly Middle School sixth-grader has chosen to make Organ Donation Awareness her own personal platform. She has already made her first appearance at Mid-America Transplant in St. Louis touring the facilities there. She plans to spread awareness beginning at the Benton Neighbor Day Parade where she will throw out Donate Life bracelets and passing out brochures on the subject. The cause is close to her heart because of her uncle who has received two kidney transplants through St. Louis University. And she like most of those who attend the Kelly School District were deeply moved by the sacrifice of Kaden Robert who had asked to be an organ donor before his death. Roland herself expressed her desire to be an organ donor during her visit to Mid-America Transplant on Aug. 5.

"I was told I could be paired with a little child who is waiting for a transplant and help them and give them gifts," Roland said. "I am really excited about getting to do that."

In addition, to winning Young Miss Beauty, Roland won Popular Miss winning $500 for selling the most ads for the pageant's program book. She also won first place and second place medals in Dramatics for her comedic and dramatic monologues. And a second place medal in Vocal Pop Performance. In addition, she took five second place medals in modeling for formal wear, sleep wear, Western wear, sportswear and street dress. Other awards she captured included International Portfolio Winner and International Prettiest Eyes.

Here is Kassie after a Fiesta Luncheon during the International Girl Program where she won five hundred dollars for Popular Miss. Many thanks to all the businesses who bought ads for the program book to help her win this award and pay her way to International Finals.

Roland and her family would like to express their thanks to the entire community for their support through purchasing ads and helping with fundraisers for her to compete.

"So many people helped me get here. Thank you to all the businesses who sponsored me," she said. "I not only got to compete in International Girl, but I made many friends. I even made friends with people from the Cayman Islands. I loved it all."

Roland will be making appearances through International Girl and Mid-America Transplant throughout the year including performing in Branson at Christmas. For more information about International Girl Youth Development Program, please call 1-501-794-6265 or go to www.internationalgirlpageant.com For information about Organ Donation, go to https://www.midamericatransplant.org/ or call (888) 376-4854.

Photo caption:

One of the exciting parts of the competition was making new friends. Here Kassie is with her secret pal, Rozarya Ramirez, from the Cayman Islands who made sure she had gifts during each day of the competition.

Kassie Roland, 12, of Blodgett is pictured here in front of the Wall of Recipients at Mid-America Transplant in St. Louis on Aug. 5. Kassie recently won the International Girl Young Miss Beauty title in Tulsa on July 24. This was her first public appearance using her title to promote Organ Donation.

Making Friends. The top three girls, Kassie Roland, IG Young Miss Beauty, Makayla Shipe -IG Young Miss, and Tabitha Rowan, IG Young Miss Princess