Four Local Girls Come Home With State International Girl Titles

Presenting Missouri's International Girl Little Miss De'Laya Banks of Haywood City 2017

Missouri International Girl

573-475-0153.

For Immediate Release:

April 2, 2017

Presenting Missouri's International Girl Teen Miss Beauty Rosemary Guthrie 2017

Four local girls brought home titles at the 2017 Midwest International Girl Competition in Branson March 24-26. And for De'Laya Banks, 8 of Haywood City, she brought home an award in every category.

Banks, a fourth grader at Scott Central Elementary was named Missouri's Little Miss in the 7-9 category. She competed in interview, talent, modeling of party dress and sportswear to capture her state title. In addition she won Top Model after competing in a fashion runway type showcase of Red Carpet Ready Wear, Trendy Chic and Fitness Wear. She also won Beautiful Doll for facial beauty, was named Most Photogenic in her age group, won best sportswear, party dress and took first place in a western wear modeling category.

The straight A student says her favorite part about competing in the natural youth development program was the Top Model program because she felt like a movie star walking down the runway. Incidentally, in addition to winning her registration fee paid to the 2017 International Girl Finals in Atlanta, Banks also won a scholarship to the Top Model seminar where she will be taught how to walk a runway for a fashion show and met by New York and Hollywood agents.

Talent was not something that came easy to Banks before entering the program where she performed a praise dance to "Break Every Chain."

Presenting Destinee Neumann, 1st Alternate for Missouri's Young Miss International Girl 2017

"I don't even know her when she gets on the stage," Rachel Banks, De'Laya's mother said. "She comes alive."

Banks is the daughter of Delbert and Rachel Banks of Haywood City.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF COMPETITION

The girls at the Branson pageant are not your Pageant moms. In fact, Banks herself was cheering on other local girls each time they came on stage or were in something. Girls exchanged souvenirs and secret pal gifts.

Presenting Omayrah Boone, Missouri International Girl Petite Miss Princess 2017

"Come on Bootheel," she cried when Destinee Neumann, a 4th grade New Madrid Elementary student was named first alternate for Young Miss ages 10-12.

This was only Destinee's second pageant having won her first qualifying in Bonne Terre as the local beauty winner there. She is the daughter of Bonnie Carson of New Madrid and grandaughter of David and Brenda Carson of Sikeston. She performed a riveting performance to "Wings."

Rosemary Guthrie, 13 of East Prairie was named Missouri's Teen Miss Beauty Winner and received first place in Western Wear. She performed a vocal rendition of "If Only," by Dove Cameron. She is the daughter of John and Kim Guthrie and Rebecca Guthrie of East Prairie.

Not to be outdone, Omayrah Boone, 4, of Sikeston was named Missouri's Petite Miss Princess. She also was named first alternate in Beautiful Doll. Omayrah competed in every category, but talent. In addition, she competed in a Petite Personality where girls ages 4-6 were asked all kinds of questions onstage about their thoughts on certain issues such as the host's age..........to lots of laughs. One thing Omayrah never forgot was she was from Sikeston, Mo.

Kassie Roland, 2016 International Young Miss Beauty in her final walk at the Midwest International Girl Finals. She thanks all her beloved sponsors and those who helped her get where she is today.

Last year, a young girl by the name of Kassie Roland, 13, of Blodgett went on to the International Girl Finals as the only representative from Missouri. She came back with an International Young Miss Beauty Title that she has represented throughout the year. She was honored in Branson for her work and the year she has given.

All four of these girls are advancing to the International Girl Finals in Atlanta on Aug. 1-6 to represent Southeast Missouri and their state. For more information or to contribute to sponsor one of these girls, please visit internationalgirlpageant.com