CONTACT: Sunny Hill [email protected]

O: 952-405-8882

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMERICAN PAGEANTS CROWNS 2019 TITLEHOLDERS IN ORLANDO,

(Orlando, Florida) – November 26, 2018 – American Pageants crowned six new national titleholders in Orlando, Florida over Thanksgiving.

Little Miss of , Lauryn Lynch was crowned Little Miss of America 2019. Lauryn is the 8- year-old daughter of Gregory and Angela Lynch from Forest, Virginia. Lauryn is a STEM student at Liberty Christian Academy when she is on the All-A Honor Roll. She received the Leadership Award as a member of the LCA Bitty Bulldogs competition cheer team. As Little Miss of Virginia, Lauryn had the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Young Miss of Georgia, Isabella Castleberry was crowned Young Miss of America 2019. Isabella the 11-year-old daughter of Tripp and Ava Castleberry from Valdosta, Georgia. Isabella is a fifth- grade honor student at Valwood School. She started an anti-bullying campaign by reading to all kindergarten through fourth grade classes about the dangers of bullying. Isabella also volunteers with Jacob’s Ladder, a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with special needs.

Junior Miss of the Southeast, Savoie Srodulski was crowned Junior Miss of America 2019. Savoie is a tenth-grade student at Ola High School. The 15-year-old daughter of Kevin and Julie Srodulski of McDonough, Georgia was one of thirty Ola students chosen for the 2018 Chick-fil-a Leader Academy. An avid tennis player, Savoie is the Ola High School Female Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2018. She plans to go to college to become a physical therapist and is preparing as one of the top 3 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members for 2017-2018.

Miss Teen of , Caitlin Garcia was crowned Miss Teen of America 2019. Caitlin is an 18- year-old Richard Walwrath Education Foundation Scholar at Texas A&M University. She serves as a committee member on the Miracle Maker Relations team for Aggie Miracle, a Children's Miracle Network partner. Caitlin’s platform is “Wondering Eyes” which promotes donations and collections to provide vision correctional lenses as well as other eye protective gear to those in a world where this is not at high accessibility or an affordable price.

Miss of Georgia, Abigail Callaway was crowned Miss of America 2019. Abby is a 21-year-old from Athens, Georgia attending the University of Georgia. Using her experience supporting former foster youth, children and adults with disabilities, and older adults in long term care settings, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. Abby is the founder of The Sunflower Project: a platform with a mission to promote a future without sexual violence and to advocate for survivors of sexual assault and the organizations that support them. Abby is coached and mentored by Allisyn Hardee Lambes of The Pageant Place.

Junior Miss of the Keystone State, Megan Shutes was crowned American Pageants’ National Ambassador 2019. Megan is a tenth-grade honor student at Cowanesque Valley High School. The 16-year-old daughter of Milfred and Amanda Catherman of Westfield, serves as Sophomore Class Vice President. A member of the Travel Club, Megan coordinated trips to Peru and Scotland for her class.

Throughout the pageant the candidates competed in six distinct categories of judging: Scholastic Achievement, Service to School and Community, Personal Development, Personality Poise and Projection in evening wear, a General Awareness Test and Interview. President, Sunny Hill, stated: “This pageant is not a typical beauty pageant, with sixty percent of our judging completed prior to the judges even seeing the young ladies. American Pageants Organization highlights achievement and promotes confidence in the leaders of tomorrow.”

The outgoing titleholders crowned their successors at the conclusion of the event: Little Miss of America 2018, Kailey Turner, Young Miss of America 2018, Lindy Harano, Junior Miss of America 2018, Haven Watts, Miss Teen of America 2018, Alana Castle, and Miss of America 2018 Sarah Jensen.

Other highlights of the weekend include: Thanksgiving at Magic Kingdom and an 80s themed get- acquainted party to meet all of the candidates. Paige Jensen, Miss Teen of America 2011-12, emceed the Pageant Final and Pageant Planet hosted the live event on social media networks. All stage choreography was the brilliant work of Sandi Watts of Cowgirls Entertainment of Dallas, Texas. Candidates greatly enjoyed their time at the Hyatt Regency, which was American Pageants host hotel.

About the American Pageants Organization: The Miss Teen of America Scholarship and Recognition Pageant was founded in 1983 by Mr. Warren Alexander, a former educator and pageant director, and designed to help America’s youth reach their full potential. The scholastically based pageant recognizes young women for their outstanding personal achievements, leadership abilities, and artistic, creative or athletic talents. With no judging focused on beauty or attire, the pageant strives to promote confidence and an Accent on Achievement. In 2017, the Miss Teen of America Organization rebranded as American Pageants to include additional age divisions: Little Miss of America (ages 7-9), Young Miss of America (ages 10-12), Junior Miss of America (ages 13-15), Miss Teen of America (ages 16-18) and Miss of America (19-26).

To schedule a titleholder for an appearance, please contact American Pageants at 952-405-8882 or [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.americanpageants.org. ### Full List of Awards:

Little Miss of America Little Miss of America 2019: Lauryn Lynch – Forest, Virginia First Runner-Up: Amelia Lisowe – Benton, Second Runner-Up: Kenley McKenna – Orlando, Florida

Young Miss of America Young Miss of America 2019: Isabella Castleberry – Valdosta, Georgia

Junior Miss of America Junior Miss of America 2019: Savoie Srodulski – McDonough, Georgia First Runner-Up: Whitney Tubbs – Synder, Texas Second Runner-Up: Erica Carnegie – Fleming Island, Florida Merit Finalists: Diana Sethna – McDonough, Georgia Caroline Martin – Kennesaw, Georgia

Miss Teen of America Miss Teen of America 2019: Caitlin Garcia – Thorndale, Texas First Runner-Up: Kiara Carrion – New Windsor, Second Runner-Up: Charnae Payne – Cinnaminson, New Merit Finalists: Camilla O’Donnell – Gilbert, Kaylie Hunter – Waynesville, Georgia

Miss of America Miss of America 2019: Abigail Callaway – Athens, Georgia First Runner-Up: Christina Million – Dodge City, Second Runner-Up: Alexa Miller – Reno, Merit Finalists: Maria Mendoza – Waukegan, Savannah Fraser – Clinton Township,

Preliminary Judging Category Awards Outstanding Achievement Award: Miss of Georgia – Abby Callaway Outstanding Achievement Award: Miss Teen of Texas – Caitlin Garcia

Junior Division Awards Activities and Service: Little Miss of Arkansas – Amelia Lisowe Academic Excellence: Young Miss of Texas – Cathryn Turner Personality Projection & Poise: Little Miss of Texas – Sarah Addison Interview: Little Miss of – Violet Stavitzke

Senior Division Awards Service & Achievement: Junior Miss of the Lone Star State – Whitney Tubbs Academic Excellence: Junior Miss of the Southern State – Caroline Martin Personal Development: Miss Teen of Texas – Camilla O’Donnell Personality Projection & Poise: Miss Teen of New York – Kiara Carrion Interview: Junior Miss of the Keystone State – Megan Shutes General Awareness: Miss of Nevada – Alexa Miller

Optional Event Awards Creative Writing: Junior Miss of Texas – Macy McDonald Art: Young Miss of Georgia – Isabella Castleberry Photogenic Informal: Little Miss of Illinois – Jordynn Huskisson Photogenic Formal: Little Miss of Texas – Sarah Addison Sportswear: Little Miss of Virginia – Lauryn Lynch Junior Miss of the Southeast – Savoie Srodulski Fun Fashion: Junior Miss of Florida – Erica Carnegie Personal Introduction: Little Miss of Virginia – Lauryn Lynch Miss of Nevada – Alexa Miller Modeling: Miss of Nevada – Alexa Miller Talent: Junior Miss of Florida – Erica Carnegie Miss Teen of Texas – Caitlin Garcia

Other Awards Spirit of American Pageants: Junior Miss of Georgia – AnaBeth Waters Miss Teen of Illinois – Cassidy Tucker