Kahoka, Area Contestants to Compete at Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Teen Competitions

By Emily Bontrager

Two Kahoka contestants and several local titleholders will compete during this year’s Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Teen competitions June 10 through 13 at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri.

Kampbel James, of Kahoka, will compete for the title of Miss Missouri. James is the only local contestant competing in the Miss Missouri competition, although she represents the Miss College Town crown rather than a local pageant title. According to the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization, James’ Community Service Initiative is “Next Kid Up: Tiny Votes, Big Voices.” Her talent is dramatic monologue.

James is no stranger to the Miss Missouri stage. She previously represented the area as Miss Clark County’s Teen and received the Overall Non- Finalist Evening Gown Award at the 2024 Miss Missouri’s Teen competition.

Also representing the local area is Emma Pitford, Miss Southern Counties’ Teen. Pitford is the daughter of Travis and Jessica Pitford of Kahoka and is a student at Clark County High School. She will compete in the Miss Missouri’s Teen competition.

Miss Clark County’s Teen Darby Rollins of New London will also compete in the Miss Missouri’s Teen competition. Rollins is a student at Hannibal High School, a published author and athlete. She has shared her book, “The Day I Raised My Hand,” with students in classrooms across northeast Missouri. Her Community Service Initiative is “Stronger Than the Struggle,” and her performance talent is HERStory. She is also active in soccer and jiu-jitsu and is passionate about self-defense.

Rollins will compete in Interview on Tuesday, On-Stage Question and Evening Gown on Wednesday, and Fitness and Talent on Thursday before advancing to the Teen Finals on Friday, June 12.

Also competing at the state level are two titleholders representing the Lewis & Clark organization. While they are from outside the immediate area, they will represent local pageant crowns at the 2026 Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Teen competitions.

Competing in the Miss Missouri competition is Miss Lewis & Clark, Anayna Senthil of Ballwin. Senthil recently graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master’s in Business Administration. Her Community Service Initiative is “Self Worth is Worth It,” which focuses on mental health and self-worth. A worship leader, she is rooted in faith and uses her personal story to serve others. Her talent is vocal performance.

Senthil will compete in Interview and Talent on Wednesday, followed by On-Stage Question, Fitness and Evening Gown on Thursday. If selected, she will advance to the Miss Missouri Finals on Saturday, June 13.

Representing the organization in the teen division is Miss Lewis & Clark’s Teen, Celia Medeiros of St. Louis. Medeiros maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is committed to play field hockey at Saint Louis University. Whether on the field or serving her community, she leads with kindness and determination. Her Community Service Initiative is “Feeding Missouri,” and her talent is vocal performance.

Medeiros will compete in Interview on Tuesday, Talent on Wednesday, and On-Stage Question, Fitness and Evening Gown on Thursday before competing in the Miss Missouri’s Teen Finals on Friday, June 12.

The competition will feature preliminary rounds on June 10 and 11, followed by the Miss Missouri’s Teen Finals on June 12 and the Miss Missouri Finals on June 13. A total of 32 delegates will compete for the title of Miss Missouri’s Teen, while 29 delegates will compete for the title of Miss Missouri.

According to the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization, the program awards scholarship dollars to outstanding young women to help advance their academic and professional goals. The organization serves as the official state preliminary to the Miss America Opportunity, while Miss Missouri’s Teen serves as the official state preliminary to Miss America’s Teen.

Delegates are required to raise at least $300 for the American Heart Association before competing at the Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Teen competition. Locally, proceeds from the Miss Clark County Organization’s Daddy Daughter Dance held April 3 helped support the delegates’ fundraising goals.

Throughout the year, delegates participated in events across northeast Missouri and around the state while promoting their Community Service Initiatives. Local appearances included Farm City Night, the Shrine of St. Patrick’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Daddy Daughter Dance and visits to elementary classrooms.

The organization emphasizes scholarship, service, leadership and personal growth while providing participants opportunities to promote community service initiatives, showcase their talents and serve as role models in their communities. Participants also gain experience in public speaking, communication and community engagement.

Tickets and additional information about this year’s competition are available at missmissouri. org.

The Miss Clark County Organization has also announced that the 2026 Miss Clark County Pageant will be held Nov. 7. There is no entry fee for delegates, and the organization awarded $2,500 in scholarships in 2025 through the support of local businesses and community sponsors. Those interested in learning more may contact [email protected].