Peyton Bolling, a Rogers native, was crowned Miss America's Teen Saturday night, making history as the first representative from Arkansas to win the pageant.
Peyton, 17, won the prestigious title at the grand finale held at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida, where she competed against 51 other contestants from across the United States and Puerto Rico.
The teen was chosen as one of the five finalists, competing against Miss Alabama, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas. Her victory comes just months after being crowned Miss Arkansas' Teen in June and Miss Dogwood's Teen, per KAIT 8.
Who Is Peyton Bolling?
Peyton is a 17-year-old senior at Bentonville High School in Rogers, AR. Prior to her run in Miss America's Teen, she had demonstrated exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements, including attending school and working at the U.S. Capitol for five months, according to KATV.
She advocated for Simple Acts of Citizenship, a community service initiative that focuses on building better communities through civic involvement, educating people about the role and function of local and state government, raising awareness about the impact of local government positions on everyday life, and encouraging civic participation among the youth.
To promote her initiative, the teen launched an Instagram show called "Glimpses in Government," where she interviews local elected officials and nonprofit leaders about the role of the government.
Following her win on Saturday, Peyton is set to receive scholarships totaling nearly $1.5 million for college students at over 200 US universities.
She has previously received similar awards, including scholarships worth $40,000 to Arkansas State University and $20,000 to the University of Arkansas, $10,500 in scholarships from Pafford Medical Services, and more than $25,000 in prizes, clothing, and gifts, according to Marca.
Peyton will have a yearlong tenure as Miss America's Teen.
What Is Miss America's Teen All About?
The pageant is a contest for teenagers aged 13 to 18 in the US. It is the youth version of the Miss America beauty pageant. Both pageants aim to empower women, encourage their leadership, and facilitate access to higher education.
Miss America's Teen sees 51 young women competing for the title, each representing a state of the US, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This year's winner was determined by voting.
