Katie Van Sloun, 15, daughter of Bill and Charmaine Van Sloun from Waukee, won the title of 2014 National American Miss Iowa Jr. Teen, competing with 105 contestants at the state pageant held May 4, in Waterloo.
The Van Slouns used to run a business in Clarke County.
The National American Miss Pageants (NAM) are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders.
Each year, NAM awards 1.5 million dollars in cash, scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist in the development of young women nationwide.
Pageants are held in each state for girls ages four – 18 in five different age divisions.
The pageant is for “Today’s Girl” and “Tomorrow’s Leaders.” The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation.
Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self- confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future.
Van Sloun’s activities include running her non-profit charity A Doll for All (ADFA – hand making dolls for kids in orphanages), serving on the national board for the Miss Amazing Pageant (a pageant for girls and women with disabilities), volunteering at Child Serve and the Boys and Girls Club, sketching and playing on the varsity volleyball team for Iowa Christian Academy.
She will be headed to California to compete for the national title this November. Each national contestant will have the chance to win a 2014 Ford Mustang Convertible.