Rural Montezuma girl named the 2022 Iowa Junior Miss United States Agriculture

​     Alyssa Latcham, 10, was crowned the 2022 Iowa Junior Miss United States Agriculture at the Midwest Miss US Agriculture program and pageant competition, Dec. 3-4, at the Mozingo Event Center in Maryville, Mo. The daughter of Curtis and Amanda Latcham, Alyssa also received a number of honors including Iowa People’s Choice and overall People’s Choice. She also received awards for Top Fun Fashion, Top Evening Wear, Top Onstage Introduction and was named Overall Junior Miss. Alyssa will travel to the national competition in Orlando in June, where she will compete in her age division with girls from all over the United States.

By J.O. Parker
 
      Alyssa Latcham is carrying around a big smile these days. And it’s for a good reason.
     Alyssa, 10, the daughter of Curtis and Amanda Latcham of rural Montezuma, was crowned the 2022 Iowa Junior Miss United States Agriculture at the Midwest Miss US Agriculture program and pageant competition, Dec. 3-4, at the Mozingo Event Center in Maryville, Mo.
       The four states that were present were Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.
      The weekend was broken down into four different areas of competition. Alyssa competed in an interview, state fun fashion, on stage introduction and evening wear competitions. She also had to answer an impromptu question while on stage.
        Alyssa dressed in a sheep costume for the state fun fashion competition to highlight that Iowa is 10th in the United States for sheep production. She shows sheep in 4-H and has her own herd.
     “Prior to the event, there was a competition held for People's Choice Award,” said Alyssa’s mother, Amanda. “People's Choice was based on votes via online and also a donation of canned goods.”
         This part of the competition was open to all 56 contestants of all different ages.
        “With the help of our amazing community, Alyssa was able to donate 1,648 canned goods to be taken to a food pantry located in Maryville,” Amanda said. “The entire truck bed was full.”
       Alyssa is a fourth-grader at Montezuma Community School.
      Alyssa received the title of Iowa People’s Choice and overall People’s Choice. She also received awards for Top Fun Fashion, Top Evening Wear, Top Onstage Introduction and was named Overall Junior Miss.
      Alyssa's platform is farm safety and she is looking forward to teaching people of all ages to be safe while on a farm. 
        “Things happen fast on a farm, you always need to pay attention,” said Alyssa.
Amanda said Alyssa has been around farming her entire life and farm safety is something that's very important to her.
      With this title, Alyssa will travel to the national competition in Orlando in June, where she will compete in her age division with girls from all over the United States.
      “If you would like Alyssa to visit your farm or attend any events, she would love to have the opportunity to advocate for agriculture,” noted Amanda. “She is also looking for service projects she can help with. Alyssa would like to thank everyone who helped her on her journey so far.”