Davenport, Iowa — A middle school teacher from Urbandale was crowned the new Miss Iowa over the weekend to conclude the three-day scholarship competition in Davenport. 24 year old Bailey Hodson says when they called her name as the winner, she went completely numb and had no idea what to do, even though they’d practiced everything with each contestant during rehearsals.
Hodson says she’s stepped into a wonderful whirlwind and knows the next year ahead is going to be exceptionally busy.
Hodson, a Berwick native who graduated from Grand View University in 2020, hopes to return to teaching once her duties as Miss Iowa are finished. Her platform, what’s now called a social impact plan, is focused on an anti-bullying campaign.
Her vocal performance for the competition was singing “A Million Dreams” from the musical “The Greatest Showman,” though she’s not sure if that’s what she’ll perform during the Miss America Pageant in December. Never before has a contestant from Iowa won the national event and Hodson says that’s not yet on her radar.
Part of the prize package for Miss Iowa is more than 12 thousand dollars in scholarships, money Hodson plans to apply to her student loans.
Photo at top of page: Bailey Hodson (Photo courtesy of Miss Iowa organization)
