Miss Walnut Valley Crowned

Original article from ArkCity.net.  Photo by Kristal Mendoza

The third annual Miss Walnut Valley Scholarship Pageant crowned its winner, Kelsey Phillips, of Wichita, on Nov. 11 at Cowley College's Brown Center, according to a press release.

Miss Walnut Valley is a preliminary pageant for Miss Kansas and Miss America.

The pageant featured appearances by Miss Kansas 2012 Sloane Lewis and two Miss Walnut Valley titleholders: Miss Walnut Valley 2012 Hannah Langley, of Winfield, and Outstanding Teen 2012 Kristen Boxman, of Arkansas City.

As the Miss Walnut Valley titleholder, Phillips, 20, will receive a $1,500 scholarship. She also won the evening gown and fitness in swimwear awards, earning her an additional $200 in scholarship funds.

First runner-up was Danielle Hill, of Overland Park, who earned a $500 scholarship. Hill also won the private interview award and a $100 scholarship.

Second runner-up was Kaiti Hemann, a University of Kansas student who earned a $300 scholarship.

Third runner-up was Angela Thomas, of Lawrence, who will receive a $200 scholarship.Thomas also won the talent and people's choice awards, earning her an additional $200 in scholarship funds.

Kayla Norton, of Topeka, was named most inspirational by her fellow contestants and took home a gift from Schmidt Jewelers.

The 2013 Miss Walnut Valley Outstanding Teen is Stevie Burries, of Arkansas City, and Boxman was named the 2013 Miss Cowley County Outstanding Teen.

Phillips is the daughter of Dr. Terry and Jody Klein, of Wichita.  She is a sophomore at the University of Kansas, majoring in journalism.

Phillips' platform is breast cancer awareness, and she has raised funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Nathan Winter Life Fund.

She was a member of the Texas Christian University cheerleading team and performed a contemporary dance at the pageant to the Norah Jones favorite, "Turn Me On."

As Miss Walnut Valley 2013, Phillips will compete for Miss Kansas in June in Pratt.

For more information, contact executive director Terri Schroeder at (620) 506-7142.