Redfield girls crowned at USA Ambassador Pageant prepare for Nationals in Florida

By Shiloh Appel

During the 2020 USA Ambassador Pageant held in Canton, South Dakota at the Canton Performing Arts Center on February 21-February 23rd, Hannah Owens, of Redfield, was bestowed with the title of Miss South Dakota. Murphy Lewis, of Redfield, was crowned as the SD SLICC II (Success in Leadership, Integrity, Character and Confidence) Ambassador, and Luann Miner, of Redfield, earned the title of Miss Congeniality.

All three girls will be competing in the USA Ambassador National Pageant held July 27th-August 1st in Florida.

“One of the most unexpected things - I think everyone has a bit of a stigma around the pageants, and to be honest, I had expectations about the ‘attitude’ when I first rolled up, but after being there the first day and the first morning of yoga, I realized that most of the people that are there, they are there for the same reason you are, to have a good time,” said Owens, who was a first-time pageant contestant in February. “I can tell you that the people who didn’t enjoy it were the people who weren’t there to grow. You get out of it what you put into it.”

Owens said she was expecting the general mentality to be cut-throat like “Toddlers in Tiaras” or other well-known pageant shows. However, the atmosphere didn’t turn out to be like she had expected.

“I am competitive in my own way, no doubt about it. But I was kind of worried that maybe it was all for show and that this quote on quote ‘community service’ that they are trying to portray wasn’t all it was hyped up to be. I really care about community service and leadership. So, if that wasn’t a big part of it, I was going to be kind of upset, frankly,” said Owens. “But it definitely formed family bonds. when we were doing our outgoing stuff, there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere. You kind of just build this family. It is community service and family-oriented.”

Murphy Lewis, who received the title of Miss Great Plains USA Ambassador Jr. Teen, said she also found the competition to be more than what she thought.

“I never thought I was a ‘pageant girl’ but I guess I never knew what that really meant,” said Lewis. “It isn’t all beauty and makeup. I had five interviews, four with judges and one on stage, and memorized a piano solo. I walked around on stage, in heels, several different times, with a big smile on my face, even though I was scared to death. It was hard. But it was so rewarding. It gave me confidence and composure and as I get more involved in school activities and life, I will know how to walk out there and show everyone the real me.”  

Miner, who has competed in several pageants, said she enjoyed the experience.

“Overall, I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone because I found more confidence in myself,” said Miner. “I met some amazing women over the weekend and built lifelong friendships. It was an amazing opportunity to get to experience.”

Each of the girls are currently raising money to compete at the national competition. Murphy Lewis can be followed on Facebook under the title “Murphy Lewis Miss Great Plains USA Ambassador Jr Teen 2020,” Owens can be followed on Facebook under the title “Miss South Dakota USA Ambassador 2020,” and Miner can be followed on Facebook under her name and supported through GoFundMe under the title “USA Ambassador Nationals.”