Bowie’s Own Invited Back to National American Miss (NAM)

Miss Malinda "Eryn" Barnes, age 12, will once again compete in the National American Miss Maryland Pageant. It will be held this Saturday, September 19, 2020 at the beautiful Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia. Miss Barnes is one of many girls, from across the state of Maryland, competing in five different age divisions for the 2020 NAM Maryland State crown and prizes. Miss Barnes will compete in the Pre-Teen division for girls ages 10 to 12. She hopes to capture the NAM crown and represent the great state of Maryland for an entire year. Miss Barnes also hopes to win so she will have the opportunity to visit Disneyland in Orlando, Florida and compete for the National title.

Miss Barnes represented Bowie well at the 2019 National American Miss Maryland Pre-Teen Pageant. Miss Barnes placed as a Top 10 National American Miss Maryland Pre-Teen Finalist and was invited to compete in the All-American Miss Pageant in Anaheim, California. She also did very well in three optional contest: Spokesmodel, Top Model, and Actress. She placed as the first runner-up in the Spokesmodel competition for her dynamic speech on Esophageal Atresia; a rare birth defect that causes the esophagus to end in a blind pouch and prevents normal swallowing. This condition effects 1 in every 4,000 births. She placed as the second runner-up in the Top Model competition for her "Sassy Sunshine" themed outfit. She also placed as third runner-up in the Actress competition and was awarded a crown, banner, and trophy for being an "Outstanding" program participant.

The National American Miss Pageant is dedicated to developing future leaders and equipping young girls, like Miss Barnes, with real life skills. The program is focused on inner beauty. It also focuses on poise and presentation as well, and offers an "All-American spirit of fun for family and friends." Priority is placed on the importance of girls gaining self-confidence and learning new skills. Families interested in learning more about this unique and outstanding youth program may visit www.namiss.com for more information.

Miss Barnes aspires to be a pediatric surgeon when she grows up. She enjoys speaking around the world through participation in the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) program. She loves science and math, and taking STEM and math enrichment courses. Miss Barnes also loves gymnastics, international travel, watching movies and spending time with family and friends. Miss Barnes' sponsors for the 2020 National American Miss Pageant include her parents, Mr. Frank and Mrs. Nneka Barnes, Mayor Malinda Miles, Ms. Eriyana Miles Barnes, Ms. Tatiyana Miles, Ms. Khiarah Miles Williams, Mr. William and Mrs. Tonya Miles and the entire Miles Family, Mrs. Gladys Barnes, Rev. Gerald Grandison, Ms. Janice Owes, Mr. Aaron Barnett, Mr. Michael Brown, Ms. Johnnie Greene, Mrs. Moneke Ragsdale, Ms. Ophelia Baxter, Ms. Odessa Jones, Ms. Deborah Burgoyne, Mr. Barry Abel, and Baby Sister's Song, Inc.