Katie Siewert was crowned Buckley’s America Junior Miss April 18 in the White River High School theater.

Siewert, a White River High School student, also recieved awards for the highest scores in interview, poise and scholastics. She also was voted Most Spirited by the other contestants.

The scholarship program was presented by Buckley Kiwanis.

Brianna Schmidt, also from Buckley, will serve as first alternate. Buckley’s Chelsea May will be second alternate.

The Overall Fitness Award went to Bonney Lake’s Brianna McMillen.

Jessica Kennett was the former Buckley Junior Miss, who passed her title on to Siewert. Siewert will participate in the Washington State Junior Miss Program in August, where the winner there will advance to the national level in Mobile, Ala.

America Junior Miss has empowered young women by providing scholarships and a life-enhancing experiences at the local, state and national levels for more than 50 years. Every participant enhances her interview skills, learns to speak in public with clarity and conviction, performs before an audience and develops interpersonal relationships with fellow participants and volunteers.

To make a greater impact on young people, American Junior Miss has developed the Be Your Best Self program to teach the importance of staying in school, living by moral and ethical principles, staying healthy and drug free, and becoming involved in the community.

The American Junior Miss evaluation process is made up of five categories: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self expression.

Last year, American Junior Miss awarded more than $33 million in scholarship opportunities to young women across the nation. More than 700,000 young women across the nation have participated in America’s Junior Miss at the local, state and national levels.

American Junior Miss is a national nonprofit organization which is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors comprised of community leaders.