Pictured, from left, NaevEnya Moore and Jordyn Leininger. Photo provided.

INDIANA — Two Pierceton teens are representing Kosciusko County in the 2019 Miss Indiana Pageant, taking place this week in Zionsville. 

NaevEnya Moore, 18, and Jordyn Leininger, 14, are Miss Kosciusko and Miss Kosciusko’s Outstanding Teen, respectively.

NaevEnya Moore (photo provided)

Moore is the daughter of Steve and Princene Moore. She graduated from Warsaw High School last week. Moore will compete against 36 other girls from around the state who have won local titles within the Miss Indiana organization. This is her first trip to Zionsville and her second pageant. Her platform is fighting cultural intolerance.

Leininger is the daughter of Thad and Rochelle Leininger. She recently completed 8th grade at Whitko Jr./Sr. High. This is Leininger’s second trip to Zionsville. She got her start in the local Kosciusko County Fair pageants. Her platform is Poss-ABILITIES: sharing a love of livestock with youth of all abilities.

Moore and Leininger have been busy preparing for the state competition. The two have made appearances to promote their platforms, honed their public speaking skills and talents, volunteered within their community and raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network. 

The Miss competition involves an interview with a panel of five judges, a 90-second talent routine, a social impact statement/evening wear and an on-stage interview.

The teen competition includes an interview with a panel of five judges, a 90-second talent presentation, an activewear routine and an on-stage question/evening wear. 

“I have been so excited to share my social impact statement, using education to inhibit intolerance with my community,” said Moore. “My platform is based on the idea that hate and ignorance are best fought with love and education.”

Leininger’s favorite visit last year was the trip to Riley Children’s Hospital.

Jordyn Leininger (photo provided)

“We got to interact with the kids there and brighten their day just a bit,” said Leininger.  “I have two cousins and a friend who are Riley kids. It’s just an amazing place.”  

“The community has been so generous,” Leininger said. “We are so excited to be able to do our part in helping Riley Hospital and those it serves.”  

Moore said she is looking forward to meeting “all of the strong, successful, inspiring women involved” in the pageant. She plans to attend the University of Saint Francis to obtain a physician’s assistant masters with specialization in pediatric surgery.

Preliminary competition will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Finals will be held Saturday, June 15, when 64 young women from across the state will compete for nearly $60,000 in scholarships and the titles of Miss Indiana and Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen 2019.

You can help NaevEnya and Jordyn make it into the top 11 by going to vote.missindiana.org and casting your vote for People’s Choice. Voting is open until June 13 and votes are $1 each.