2011 Miss Muskingum Valley Named

A new Miss Muskingum Valley has been crowned. Muskingum University graduate Kylie Johnson is the 2011 Miss Muskingum Valley winner. Runner- ups were Jenna Sowls, Alyssa Phillips, Nina Haaskivi, and Stephanie Beltz. The Miss Muskingum Valley Teen award went to Cambridge High School freshman Matti Chrisman.

Saturday’s pageant included swimsuit, evening wear and talent competitions. Miss Muskingum Valley Executive Director Stina Mckendry says the girls have put a lot of hard work, dedication, and passion into the competition and it’s all paying off.

"They will go on to compete as Miss Ohio and then from there, if they win, they go onto Miss America. Our Miss America this year is a 17 year old so you never know," said Mckendry.

Former Miss Muskingum Valley Heidi Negron says the past year has been a fun rollercoaster with learning all about the southeast Ohio community. She also says pageant’s are more than just looking good on stage and performing.

"There’s definitely brains behind these girls. And they are real people just like everyone else. This is a scholarship program more than it is a beauty pageant and that was something I had to learn for myself and i think that society makes it seem like it’s a beauty pageant but it’s definitely not. It’s for scholarship money," said Negron.