Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen wins talent award at national pageant

Posted on July 29, 2017 at 8:34 AM

By Justine McGuire justine_mcguire@mlive.com

ORLANDO, FL - Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen 2017 Katie Preston is representing her home state at the national level this week.

The Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant began on Tuesday, July 25, at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Preliminaries took place Tuesday-Thursday. Finals are scheduled for Saturday, July 29.

Preston, 17, showed off her talent for singing on Thursday, and was rewarded with a preliminary talent award, which is a $500 scholarship.

"It was tough competition last night," said Shelley Taylor, Miss Michigan Organization executive director. "But she's got a fabulous voice."

Preston competed as Miss Sunset Coast's Outstanding Teen during the Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen pageant during June in Muskegon where she was crowned. Preston won a preliminary talent award at that pageant as well for her vocal performance of "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera.

The Bridgeman resident also competed in fitness, evening gown and onstage question during the national pageant preliminaries this week.

Taylor and Miss Michigan Heather Kendrick are in Orlando to support Preston as she competes against 51 other titleholders.

Finalists will be announced at the beginning of the competition on Saturday, and Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018 will be crowned at the end of the evening.

Contestants had a break from competition on Friday, July 28, as they participated in a danceathon to raise money for Children's Miracle Network, which is the Miss America Organization's national charity.

Hendrick will compete for the title of Miss America in September in Atlantic City, N.J.

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2017/07/miss_michigans_outstanding_tee.html