It was third time’s the charm for Miss Pulaski County Tabitha Crain, who was crowned Miss Missouri Saturday night in central Missouri’s Mexico.
Crain is a 24-year-old from Strafford in southwest Missouri. She is a University of Missouri School of Law student who competed in the pageant for the third time.
She earned a $14,000 scholarship and will represent Missouri in the Miss America competition later this year.
The new Miss Missouri told Missourinet that young women around the state should stay persistent and keep following their dreams.
“You really never know what’s on the other side of this week,” said Crain. “It was filled with so many doubts, as you would guess. A pageant is when so many women here are so deserving, and these are the most talented, inspiring women I’ve ever met. But when you work hard and you truly sit back in yourself and allow yourself to be excellent, then that shows to everyone — and I’d encourage you to keep trying.”
Her community service initiative, S.P.U.R. — Advocating for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence — is rooted in her own experience as a survivor. It focuses on supporting others impacted by abuse.
This year’s Miss Missouri competition featured 30 contestants from across the state competing for the crown, along with 32 teen contestants earlier in the week.
The pageant wrapped up a week of competition at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, with participants competing in talent, fitness, evening gown and on-stage questions.
The night follows the crowning of Miss Missouri’s Teen on Friday, when Anna Hall of Branson — in southwest Missouri — was named the 2026 winner.
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