Makenzi Marek of Riverside wins Miss Metro?s Outstanding Teen

Makenzi Marek, 16, daughter of Tim and Heather Marek, was crowned Saturday, Oct. 17, during the annual Miss Greater Des Moines Scholarship Program held at Waukee High School. She is a student at Washington High School.

?I am so excited? Marek said. ?I?ve prepared for months and I cannot believe I will be competing for a chance to win a state title.?

?I look forward to meeting with young students who have struggled with the same things I have and letting them know what they can achieve,? she said. Her platform is ?Find Your Strength: Overcoming Dyslexia.?

Marek will represent the program in the Miss Iowa?s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program in Davenport in June during the Miss Iowa and Miss Iowa?s Outstanding Teen pageant, an official preliminary to Miss America and Miss America?s Outstanding Teen pageant.