23 years old, Heath Kendrick from Marysville graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational studies and a Bachelor of Music with a focus on violin, beat out 33 other women, from around the state to earn the title of Miss Michigan 2017.
In addition to the statewide title, Kendrick will receive $12,000 in scholarship money and will have the opportunity to take part in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant 2017, which will take place on September 10. The event will be broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields from Arkansas will officially crown her successor.
Kendrick's talent performance of "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga on violin received the loudest ovations from the crowd on Friday and Saturday nights. She also impressed the judges in a blue bikini and a sparkling evening gown with an open back. The crowd went wild for her during the evening gown competition on the Saturday.
"I'm Miss Michigan. That's the first time I've said that," Kendrick said during an interview in the ballroom at the Harbor Holiday Inn downtown Muskegon just minutes after being crowned as Miss Michigan 2017.
Kendrick will now spend much of her time as Miss Michigan advocating for her platform: "Keeping the Arts in Education: Advocating STEAM." STEAM stands for "science, technology, engineering, arts and math."