ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (KVOA) – The Miss Arizona USA runway will be expanded this year.
On that new highway was 39-year-old Alona Mulkey, known as Miss Oro Valley USA.
This year, the Miss Arizona USA runway will be expanded.
She will take center stage along with 28 other contestants in the annual Miss Arizona USA pageant.
Some of the contestants can’t believe the big moment is approaching. Many people have spent months preparing and fine-tuning every detail.
“I have a walking coach, a fitness coach, and an interview coach. I have someone who prepares me to speak clearly and concisely about my goals as the next Miss Arizona USA,” Arona said.
It’s a dream she never imagined would come true at her age.
“When I heard that the Miss USA organization was opening its doors to people like me, I couldn’t believe it,” Arona said.
New rules introduced by the Miss USA organization will allow adult women over the age of 29 to compete. On top of that, contestants who are married, divorced, or pregnant can now also be on the runway.
“It’s so empowering to know that age doesn’t define you. It’s about what you’ve accomplished in life and what you do to inspire others in your community. ” says Arona.
Arona wants to prove that a single mother in her 30s can still be on stage.
Her 8-year-old daughter painted a vision of what she wanted. At the drawing, a large crowd cheered her mother’s victory.
Also in Alona’s corner was her sister Ebona, who told us what makes her different from others.
“With every obstacle she has ever faced, she has always solved it, overcome it and conquered it all,” Evona said.
The only hurdle left for Arona was to become Miss Arizona USA.
“A dream is a dream, never let go of that dream, hold on to it, never give up, keep working towards it, because you never know when that day will come. And now is my time. So, I’m ready to go.” Arona said.
Below is the complete list of contestants competing in this year’s Miss Arizona USA pageant. In no particular order.
- Miss Aviara USA, Nikki Roizzi
- Miss Biltmore USA, Esmerelda Kennedy
- Miss Casa Grande USA, Christina Peterson
- Miss Catalina Foothills USA, Jordyn Owen
- Miss Chandler Heights USA, Margot Bernal
- Miss Desert Diamond USA, Shakora Cooper
- Miss Desert Heat USA, Kayla Munir
- Miss East Valley USA, Aubrianne de la Riva
- Miss Fashion Square USA, Sydney Booker
- Miss Gilbert USA, Bria Sunbury
- Miss Maricopa County USA, Han Lu
- Miss Maricopa USA, Kayla Morales
- Miss Mesa USA, Kimberly Covert
- Miss Oro Valley USA, Alona Mulkey
- Miss Painted Desert USA, Mariah Kane
- Miss Paradise Valley USA, Shania Brennon
- Miss Phoenix USA, Haley Michaels
- Miss Pinnacle Peak USA, Danielle Lariva
- Miss Queen Creek USA, Roberta Joseph
- Miss Scottsdale Quarter USA, Alondra Mitchell
- Miss Scottsdale USA, Sammy Landsman
- Miss South Scottsdale USA, Kesha Clark
- Miss Tempe USA, Maria Hernandez Fisher
- Miss Thunderbird USA, Alexandria Murphy
- Miss Tucson USA, Adora Avanish
- Miss Uptown Phoenix USA, K. Johnson
- Miss Uptown Scottsdale USA, Avoli Henderson
- Miss Vail USA, Kajal Ramey
- Miss Yuma USA, Jo Anna Fisher
