Pekin student finalist for state pageant

Notified by a letter she received in the mail recently, Pekin High School senior Madison Lathrop discovered she would soon have the chance to earn the title of America?s Homecoming Queen.

Lathrop, a Fairfield resident, is Pekin?s reigning homecoming queen. However, the teen said she didn?t have a clue why the organization selected her to compete as a finalist for the state competition.

?The girl who was homecoming queen last year didn?t get an invitation,? Lathrop said. ?I?m not much of a pageant girl, but I figured, if they were going to send me an application, it was worth checking it out.?

Lathrop is a finalist for Iowa?s 36th annual homecoming queen selection pageant, which is Saturday in the Comfort Inn Hotel and Suites in Omaha, Nebraska. She?ll compete with other homecoming queens from around the state for a chance to win a scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to the national America?s Homecoming Queen Pageant in Memphis, Tennessee.

?I have to be in Omaha Saturday. I?ll have rehearsals and all day interviews. The pageant itself is at 7 p.m.,? Lathrop said. ?This weekend I?ll compete to represent Iowa.?

Although she?s excited about the opportunity, she admits to being a little anxious about what to expect.

?They sent me a list of questions to go over, but other than that, nothing,? Lathrop said. ?I?m very nervous ? I?ve never done anything like this before.?

The pageant winner will be selected after answering questions from a panel of judges, completing a private interview session and a ballgown competition.

?There are no talent or swimsuit competitions,? Lathrop said, adding that the winner would be selected on pageant night.

According to a press release, America?s Homecoming Queen Inc. is a nonprofit organization promoting education, educational travel and community service in all 50 states.

Lathrop is also competing for Iowa?s favorite homecoming queen, where anyone can vote for her at www.Americashomecomingqueen.com.

?My mom was super excited,? Lathrop said of the pageant. ?My dad was excited, too, although he?s not really into the whole ?girly thing,? but they are happy for me.?