Last night in Muskegon, thirty-one of Michigan's beautiful and talented young women gathered to perform their hearts out for the crown, and because the fourpoints office is located in Grand Rapids, we were invited to attend the preliminary pageant event. Being my first pageant, anticipation for the talent, interview, bathing suit, and evening wear performances was high. But what impressed me the most about the contestants (apart from the courage of walking on stage in a bikini) was something Miss Michigan 2011, Elizabeth Wertenberger said.

"The crown is a microphone."

Because of local, state, and national pageants, young women involved in MAO wear as Elizabeth put it, "more than an accessory." The crown to MAO titleholders is a microphone through which hundreds of women past, present, and future can advocate for their platforms, and speak volumes as representatives of womens' empowerment.

Written by: Erika Fifelski, fourpoints editorial coordinator

This June Miss Bay County, Alicia McInerney, will make history at Miss Michigan, presenting a talent that has never before graced the stage.  Alicia will make her mark in the history books by figure skating for the talent portion of the Miss Michigan competition–a first in the history of the Miss America Organization.

“I’ve said since the first time I competed in Miss Bay County, if I make it to Miss Michigan, I want to skate,” says Alicia.

This June Alicia will step out onto a sheet of synthetic ice determined to wow the judge’s panel and audience as she represents Bay County and vise for the title of Miss Michigan 2012.

Growing up Alicia was a competitive figure skater for more than ten years, training locally at the Bay County Civic Arena. Alicia says that rink is a part of who she is. 

“The first time I ever stepped foot onto a rink was at the Civic Arena. I didn’t realize then what it would come to mean to me,” comments Alicia. 

Over the course of her skating career Alicia went on to compete internationally and was ranked eighth in the Midwest in the United States Figure Skating Future Champions Series. Alicia’s skating is taking on a new life through her year as Miss Bay County. Alicia’s passion for skating also led to her platform, Ignite the Passion Within–a movement focused on encouraging young people to find their passion and use it to build a better life. Click here to find out more about the Miss Bay County Organization and Alicia’s journey to Miss Michigan and Ignite the Passion Within.

Source: Linda Bilhimer

This past weekend, Michigan welcomed two new titleholders: Miss Spirit of the State 2011 Mekeisha Alcock and Miss Spirt of the State's Outstanding Teen Brooklyn Lambert.

The pageant was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Circle Theatre. Executive Director Noddea Skidmore is a former Miss Michigan contestant herself and has been directing this popular local pageant since 2003. 

Photos Courtesy of Bryan Frank