Two local students receive national honors

Claire Rowe, 12, of Creve Coeur, and Kaitlynn Frost, 18, of Hazelwood, were crowned with national titles in the Young American Miss International (Y.A.M.I) pageant competition on Saturday, July 13th held at the Airport Marriott in St. Louis.

Miss Rowe, a student at Ladue Middle School, received the title of Royalty Supreme for 2013-14.  Miss Frost received the title of Young American Miss for 2013-14.  Frost is a 2013 graduate of Hazelwood West High School.  She will start in the fall at St. Charles Community College through the A+ program, and will later pursue a Bachelor’s in nursing.  

The Young American Miss International pageant is produced by USA Productions, with Mrs. Melissa Victors as the national director.  This was the seventh year for Y.A.M.I, which is a natural pageant and emphasizes the participants’ involvement in community service and an essay submission.  Additionally, the pageant included patriotic wear and formal wear modeling events.

Claire Rowe’s charity work has included most recently raising $500 for the Cancer Support Community’s Steps for Hope Walk in May of this year at Creve Coeur Park.  She organized a team of more than 10 state and national pageant queens, who made the walk in their crowns and sashes.  Kaitlynn Frost was among those who participated with Claire Rowe and their “sister queens” from the St. Louis area.

Kaitlynn Frost has been busy with her community service as a camp counselor and role model through the D.A.R.E program, as well as tutoring local elementary students during the summer months. Rowe and Frost have plans to represent their crowns in more community service projects over the next year.  Rowe intends to raise awareness for cyber-bullying among tweens and teens, and she would like to raise more funds for cancer support organizations.  Frost will be expanding her involvement in the D.A.R.E. program as well as supporting her community in other capacities.

In addition to their charity work, Rowe and Frost will be available for appearances and parades throughout the year; please contact carowe8@yahoo.com for more information.  For more information about the Y.A.M.I. pageant, visit  www.youngamericanmiss.com.