Anastasia Hayes Competing for Miss Montana

GLENDIVE- Anastasia Hayes of Lavina is one of 13 Miss Montana candidates competing in Glendive July 23-25 for the title of Miss Montana 2020. Covid safety precautions have been approved for the event in the 1000 seat DCHS auditorium.

Daughter of Sue and David Hayes of Billings, Anastasia, 17, was one of two graduates of Lavina Public School. She struggled with cancellation of events because of the pandemic her senior year. She qualified for Business Professionals of America conference in Washington DC because she placed at state in network administration, but sadly was canceled due to COVID-19.

Her platform "head over heels" focuses on raising awareness for Traumatic Brain Injuries. "My younger brother suffers from 90% brain injury and severe autism," said Hayes. "He was actually born a healthy baby but when he was 8 months old, a babysitter shook him violently and hit his head on a table. He is now 12 years old and can't read or write and has trouble walking because he also has cerebral palsy. I am thankful for everyday I have with him because doctors predicted he wouldn't live past the age of two." There isn't a lot of opportunities and help for young children who have brain damage.

Anastasia's future plans include attending Rocky Mountain College in Billings, pursuing a career in psychology. Anastasia will be a cheerleader and in Army ROTC at Rocky.

Her interests include music and art. She will be singing "She Used to be Mine" from The Waitress for the talent portion which counts for 35% of the judges' score.

Preliminary competition with 13 Miss MT contestants and 10 outstanding teens begins Thursday July 23 at 7PM in Glendive at the DCHS 1000-seat auditorium with room to spread out safely. Friday at 1PM the Glendive Chamber sponsors the parade which will include cruising by the nursing homes since the contestants can't visit. Friday night's 7PM production culminates in the crowning of Montana's Outstanding Teen.

People can vote online at http://www.missmontana.com starting two weeks before the pageant for a contestant to be Montana's Choice, a preliminary finalist and earn up to $1000 scholarship.

Saturday night the judges narrow the competition which includes Montana's Choice voted by the public online and judging starts anew. Miss Montana 2019 Mo Shea of Helena crowns the new Miss Montana who wins over $5000 in scholarships. Miss Montana 2020 is Montana's ambassador throughout the state and will compete for the title of Miss America 2021 in its centennial year. All contestants receive at least a $950 scholarship. The Miss America Organization is the nation's largest provider of scholarship for young women.