Wheatland senior named Wyo. Outstanding Teen

Special to the Record-Times
Posted 1/3/18

Working hard through her senior year at Wheatland High School is the reigning Miss Wyoming’s Outstanding Teen, Amelia Beck Winter.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Wheatland senior named Wyo. Outstanding Teen

Posted

WHEATLAND – Working hard through her senior year at Wheatland High School is the reigning Miss Wyoming’s Outstanding Teen, Amelia Beck Winter.
Winter has been singing and playing piano since she was in Middle School. She has been taking ballet at Dance Wyoming for 11 years, is a member of the Wheatland High School Drama Club, the Entertainers, and the Marching Band. She is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she helps out as an organist.
The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program is the teen affiliate of the Miss America program, awarding more than $33 million in cash and in-kind scholarships. This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, but is available to thousands of young women who compete at the national, state and local competitions as well.
Contestants compete in Interview, Fitness, Onstage Question, Evening Wear and Talent. They must be involved in their communities and volunteer with charitable organizations. Winter has volunteered at Country Club Living and the Platte County Legacy Home. She urges young people to talk to seniors and hear about their history.

“Loneliness contributes to the mental and physical decline in older people,” said Winter. “Seniors have great life advice and wonderful stories, all they need is someone to listen.”
At this time, Wyoming does not have local competitions, just the State level competition held in Sheridan in June in conjunction with the Miss Wyoming America competition. Contestants must be 13-17 years old and a U.S. citizen. Winter traveled to Orlando, Fla. this past August to compete in the National Program with 50 other delegates. She spent a week learning fitness and opening number routines, getting to know the other state winners, and spending time with not only the reigning Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Nicole Jia, but also Miss America 2017, Savvy Shields.
“Being Miss Wyoming’s Outstanding Teen isn’t just a crown, I’ve gotten the chance to spread the word about my platform, Remembering the senior citizens of our community, and serve the people in my town, region and state,” said Winter of her reigning year. “I had the experience of a lifetime in Orlando (Fla.) making new friends and learning what it takes to be a successful titleholder. To say that I represented my state is a huge honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I now have a network of 50 other “sisters,” and it is one of the best families I have ever been part of. My reign isn’t over yet, there is more I want to do.”
Winter hopes to start a program in Wheatland where seniors at the High School “adopt” a senior at the nursing home. Encouraging teens to spend some time with seniors, giving them some company and perhaps learning some valuable advice from an older generation.
She has been awarded $1,500 in cash scholarships with winning her state title and from competing at the National level. She has even been offered a full-ride scholarship to attend the University of Alabama where the 2015 Miss Wyoming’s Outstanding Teen, Olivia Boley is now attending. She recently was offered a full scholarship to attend Sheridan College for musical theatre.
Winter has been traveling the state speaking about the MAOT program to raise awareness of senior loneliness and the scholarships available for young Wyoming women. She often appears at events and parades with the reigning Miss Wyoming, Cheyenne Buyert. You can follow her journey on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MissWyomingsOutstandingTeen/.