Southwest Michigan is on the national stage this week in the Miss America competition.
Miss America 2024 is happening this week in Orlando, Florida, culminating in the finals on Sunday. Competing for the title Southwest Michigan’s Maya Schuhknecht.
Maya was raised in Buchanan, was voted Blossomtime’s Miss Congeniality, was crowned Miss Michigan, and now she’s on the national stage competing for the top title of Miss America.
Blossomtime Festival President Anna Abdelnour says she’s watching the competition closely and rooting for Maya.
“Even though we’re kind of small on the smaller scale here in Southwest Michigan, we’re still pretty mighty. Maya’s proof of that. We’ve got a very strong candidate now competing for the title of Miss America and how awesome is that to see Maya do so well.”
Abdelnour said competitions like this help young women develop public speaking skills and enhance their personal platform.
“I do believe this is all part of, you know, the, what they’re learning at Blossom Time and Miss America program. I do believe it’s all something that has really helped young women move forward. Anytime you can empower young women to have a chance to be able to compete and feel great about it, it’s awesome.”
Abdelnour says no matter what happens Sunday, Maya has done an amazing job representing Michigan and she has a very bright future ahead. Southwest Michigan is no stranger to the Miss America contest; 2014 Miss America Nina Davuluri also took part in Blossomtime and went to St. Joseph High School.
