Miss Kansas USA held its 2021 edition on 11th April 2021 at the B&B Live Performing Arts Theatre in Shawnee, Kansas where Gracie Hunt was crowned as the new Miss Kansas USA 2021 and earned her chance to represent Kansas at Miss USA 2021. Gracie succeeded Miss Kansas USA 2020 Hayden Brax for the title.
Gracie is 22-years-old and is a certified nutritionist and is completing her training certification. She works in marketing and development for the Chiefs, including launching Chiefs Fit two state-of-the-art fitness centers opening in Kansas City. The diva is the daughter of Tavia Shackles who was Miss Kansas USA 1993 and was adjudged as the second runner-up at Miss USA 1993. Gracie’s father is Clark Hunt who is the owner and CEO of 2x Superbowl Champions and the runner-up in the latest Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs.
The diva is very excited to take over the crown duties and start preparing herself for the final night after which she can represent the USA at Miss Universe 2021 if she wins. She is determined, dedicated, and focused on winning and feels honored that she has been given a chance to prove herself.
Miss Kansas USA 2021 Gracie Hunt’s court includes:
First runner-up: Kirstin Bangs
Second runner-up: Sierra Hoehn
Third runner-up: Liza Rogers
Fourth runner-up: Savana Grace Wilson
Gracie is passionate about volunteering and was chosen to be a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics. She is an avid sports fan, fitness enthusiast, and blogger who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Sports Management at the University of Kansas. In her blog Gracie shared that she never aspired to be a beauty queen and never watched any of her mother’s pageant as her household was sports focused but when her mother asked her to accompany her to Miss Kansas USA, she agreed. After she watched the pageant, the diva mentioned that she found a new dream.
Gracie stated that pageantry challenges and grows everyone who is a part of that pageant. She stated, “You need to know who you are, what you believe, and how to succinctly articulate it. The women who compete in pageantry are confident, articulate, intelligent, fit, beautiful, and motivated to make a difference in the world. The process pushes me to be my very best self.”
The beauty queen who will be representing Kansas at Miss USA 2021 mentioned that beauty pageants will help her to grow more, experience more, meet new people, and especially women who empower each other. She is grateful that she has been a part of the industry which has helped her to understand herself better and is now given a chance to represent her state at Miss USA 2021.
Gracie was diagnosed with celiac disease when she was young and that diagnosis has made her very health conscious. She becomes committed to health and fitness and will use the platform to spread awareness and educate people about how important it is to stay healthy and practice a healthy lifestyle is. She is grateful to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey and has assured to perform her best at the finale of Miss USA 2021.
Miss Kansas Teen USA 2021 was also held the same night where Madilynn Becker was crowned the new queen. She will represent Kansas at Miss Teen USA 2021.Yazmin Carrasco, Katherine Sullivan,Liv Richardson and Jaelynn Johnson were adjudged as the first, second, third and fourth runners-up respectively.
Congratulations queens!