Katelyn Hollar has a history with Bridgeport. In 2013, she competed in the Benedum Festival Pageant.

 

Although she won the photogetic award, she didn’t emerge the winner in her division, but Hollar went on to pursue pageantry and was chosen as Miss Teen West Virginia in 2014. Under that title, she became involved with United Hospital Center, touring the hospital’s Cecil B. Highland Jr. & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center to become better versed on her platform, cancer awareness.

 

Fast forward nearly three years and Hollar, now 22 years old, is the newly crowned Miss West Virginia United States and she will represent the Mountain State at the Miss United States Pageant July 1-8 at The Omni Championsgate in Orlando, Fla.

 

“I am still on Cloud 9, feeling extremely blessed to be able to represent West Virginia on a national level again,” she said. “My year as the teen titleholder was like no other so I feel very privileged to be a titleholder within The Miss United States system for a second time.”

Hollar was crowned this past weekend at The Tamarack in Beckley.

 

“We had a smaller pageant this year with 20 contestants, but we are in a building process and one of the top things on my to-do list this year is to recruit more young women for this wonderful system for coming years,” she said.

 

Not only did she capture the crown, but also won Miss Photogetic and achieved the second highest score in the interview division. 

 

Some call West Virginia the middle of nowhere, but Hollar said she calls it the center of her whole world.

 

A proud West Virginian through and through, Hollar said she was very excited to begin her reign as Miss West Virginia United States. During her first day on the job, she had a photo session for head shots and made a visit to The New River Gorge Bridge, the bridge that has been a big boost to the state’s economy and draws 80,000 worldwide visitors per year.

 

“Day one was amazing,” Hollar said. “I can’t wait for 364 more.”