Below is an excerpt from the official Miss America news release. Read the full announcement at MissAmerica.org.
Atlantic City, NJ (September 6, 2016) – During the first of three preliminary nights for “The 2018 Miss America Competition” in Boardwalk Hall, Miss Utah, JessiKate Riley was named Wednesday night’s preliminary Talent winner for her classical violin performance. JessiKate will receive a $2,000 scholarship for her preliminary talent award. Also capturing the spotlight was Miss Texas, Margana Wood, who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner in a vibrant blue swimsuit. Margana will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Interview following Miss America Talent preliminary Award
This is the first time in 22 years that Miss Utah has received a preliminary talent award at the Miss America competition. The last Miss Utah to win this award was Amanda Moody Nixon.
Watch her performance of “Praeludium and Allegro” by Kreisler, the piece she performed at the Miss America Competition, below.
You can also watch her beautiful performance of The National Anthem at Brigham Young University’s opening football game HERE.