2018 Contestants

The young women who compete in the Miss America system are intelligent, articulate, highly motivated, caring, talented, ambitious and hard working.  They are passionate about their platform issues and are major contributors to public service.  They exemplify leadership skills, strength of character and spirit…they touch lives.

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From left: Alba Ibraj, Grace Newlin, Gabrielle Flynn, Shelby McPherson, Taylor Towers, Brooke Timlin, Grace Murphy, Riana Hardyniec
Seated: Miss Wayne County 2017, Hannah Dell

#1 | Brooke Timlin

Age: 23
Hometown: Redford
​School: Lawrence Technological University
Platform: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
​Talent: Jazz Dance / "300 Violin Orchestra"

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#2 | Grace Newlin​

Age: 20
Hometown: Farmington Hills
​School: Henry Ford College, School of Nursing
Platform: ​Keep the Beat: Heart Disease Education
​Talent: Vocal / "What a Wonderful World"

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#3 | Grace Murphy

Age: 19
Hometown: Northville
​School: Michigan State University
Platform: Shelter from the Storm: Aiding Those Displaced
​Talent: Lyrical Dance / "Open Arms"

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#4 | Riana Hardyniec

Age: 20
Hometown: Wayne
School: University of Michigan
Platform: ​Working for a Cause, Not an Applause
Talent: Lyrical Dance / "I Stand"
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#5 | Taylor Towers

Age: 22
Hometown: Trenton
​School: Oklahoma City University
Platform: ​Making Psychiatric Service Dogs More Affordable
​Talent: Vocal / "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"

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#6 | Gabrielle Flynn

Age: 19
Hometown: Yale
​School: Wayne State University
Platform: Importance of Education
​Talent: Lyrical Pointe / "See You Again"

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#7 | Alba Ibraj

Age: 19
Hometown: Southgate
​School: University of Michigan
Platform: Red, White & You
​Talent: Albanian Traditional Dance / "Vallja e Tropojes"

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#8 | Shelby McPherson

Age: 24
​Hometown: Royal Oak
School: Lawrence Technological University
Platform: Growing in STEM: Promoting Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Talent: Trumpet / "Feeling Good"