MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Chelsea Malone was in middle school when she attended a pageant that a friend was working and after watching one show, she knew she wanted to be Miss West Virginia. Wednesday night, Malone realized that dream and was crowned Miss West Virginia in her hometown.
“It is so awesome to grow up and spend my life here and to be at the Met where I’ve been multiple times and to win that crown as just so incredible,” Malone exclaimed on WAJR-AM’s Morgantown A.M.
The competition was held at the Metropolitan Theater in downtown Morgantown, right in Malone’s backyard. Malone won the Miss Wheeling title earlier this year to qualify for the competition and now can hardly believe she has the opportunity to compete for the Miss America crown.
“I can’t even believe that when I say it out loud. I’ve grown up watching that pageant every single year and to say that I’m going to Miss America is just insane to me,” remarked Malone.
Contestants competed in a variety of events including evening gown, talent, interview and swimsuit.
“It’s really a year-long process getting yourself ready. You want to be physically fit and healthy for the swimsuit portion. You want to work with your platform and really get the message out there why you want the title in the first place.
Malone’s platform is mental health awareness.
The winners are awarded college scholarships as well as the chance to compete later this year in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City.