Miss Montana & Outstanding Teen State Finalists Participate in CMN Telethon

Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen Victoria Valentine, joined by ten Miss Montana and Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen State Finalists, participated with the CMN/Shodair Hospital Telethon on May 30 to raise funds and awareness for the cause. The ladies hosted the phone bank and were interviewed by the local media.

In 2009, the Miss Montana State Finalists raised over $8,000 for CMN!

Former Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen Earns Scholarship

Chantell Bury from Glendive, is the Montana winner of the 2009 AXA Achievements Scholarship in association with U.S. News & World Report. Bury is one of the 52 students-one from each state, plus Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico- who have been awarded scholarships of $10,000.

All scholarship recipients known as AXA Achievers-will be highlighted on the U.S. News & World Report website, http://www.usnews.com/, through May 28, 2009 and featured in the magazine's May 2009 Career/Education Guide issue.

Who Will Be Miss Montana 2009?

Meet the Miss Montana Class of 2009 - one who will be crowned the sixtieth Miss Montana!

• Josie Adams, Helena
• Annie Anseth, Billings
• Hannah Brown, Billings
• Chantell Bury, Glendive
• Olivia Dowler, Kalispell
• Megan Farmer, Frenchtown
• Catilin Haaland, Melstone
• Kylee Hoiland, Missoula
• Holly Matz, Missoula
• Ashlen Purviance, Hamilton
• Olivia Shjeflo, Kalispell
• Whitney Sjostrom, Townsend
• Katie Undem, Circle
• Brittany Wiser, Bozeman

Check out the Miss Montana website for updates!

Miss Montana Tickets On Sale

Taking a bow before heading to the gala.

Contestants at the Royal-Tea.

Tickets for the 60th Miss Montana Scholarship Program are on sale! In addition to the three nights of competition, several wonderful events are planned that you won't want to miss. Here is a glimpse into each:

• Rhinestones & Beaus Gala: This is a great time to kick up your heals and dance to the music of the fantastic live band! Located at the Yellowstone River Inn (a wonderful MMSP sponsor), the event kicks off following the Friday preliminary competition. Dancing commences with a Father/Daughter dance for our state finalists, after each is trumpeted in to the event.

• Awards Brunch: The Awards Brunch is a special event that honors our special scholarship and award recipients. The judges will address the attendees, in addition to a keynote speaker.

• Royal-Tea: An event fit for royalty! Don your hats and gloves and enjoy an afternoon garaden tea at the Yellowstone River Inn. Former Miss Montanas will be featured and our special guests for the event include our Miss Montana Princesses!

Miss Montana State Finalists Celebrate!

Marianne, Cami, Avice, Berni, Josie, Britt, Nanna, & Betty enjoy

Butterfly Homes

Avice, Annie, Heather, Nanna, & Britt post race!

Britt, Nanna, & Betty

Josie performing "Taylor the Latte Boy" Britt performing "Music of the Night" at Butterfly Homes

The 2009 Miss Montana State Finalists celebrated Mother's Day one day early on Saturday, May 8 in Billings. Along with Executive Director Avice Hoff and Miss Montana 2002 Heather Rathbun Nitz, State Finalists Annie Anseth, Hannah Brown, and Britt Wiser participated in the Montana Women's Run, in which a record 6,790 women participated. Also participating were Britt's mother and grandmother! Congratulations to Miss Montana 2007 Kristen Mantooth (first place, 5-mile), Annie Anseth (fifth place, 5-mile), and Avice Hoff (fifth place, 2-mile) on their overall finishes in their respective age divisions!

A Ladies Luncheon was hosted at McCormick's Cafe in downtown Billings, prior to a Miss Montana Talent Revue at Butterfly Homes, an assisted living center in Billings. The residents were treated to the beautiful talents of Josie Adams and Britt Wiser. Thanks to Berni Brown of Butterfly Homes for coordinating this wonderful performance opportunity!

The 2009 Miss Montana State Finalists and Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen Victoria Valentine will participate in the Shodair Hospital Children's Miracle Network Tele-thon in Helena on May 30.

Education Is Our Goal!

In 2009, over $235,000 in cash and applied scholarships will be offered to the Miss Montana State Finalists! Each young woman who participates receives at minimum a $750 cash scholarship and an applied scholarship to Dawson Community College. MMSP is grateful to the following in-kind scholarship sponsors:

• Dawson Community College, Glendive ($100,275
• Comfort Dental, Lakewood, CO ($50,000)
• Alverno College, Milwaukee ($38,000)
• University of Great Falls, Great Falls ($9,585)
• International Air & Hospitality Academy, Vancouver, WA ($7,000)
• Dolphin Talent, Miami ($5,000)
• Carroll College, Helena ($3,000)
• Montana State University-Billings ($3,000)
• Eagle U, Plano, TX ($2,500)
• Dale Carnegie ($1,700)