Abilene woman crowned Miss Dodge City in January
Gracie Jo Hylton, a 2024 graduate of Abilene High School, is set to compete in the 2025 Miss Kansas USA pageant after being crowned Miss Dodge City on Jan. 25.
The Miss Kansas competition will take place March 22-23 at the Polsky Theater in Overland Park, where Hylton will compete for the state title and a chance to move on to the national stage.
“This is my first year as a titleholder, and I would love for you to follow along on my journey to the Miss Kansas stage in June,” Hylton said on the Miss Dodge City Instagram page dedicated to her.
Currently a freshman at Fort Hays State University, Hylton is double majoring in business management and language studies with a focus in Spanish. She is also pursuing a leadership certificate while balancing her time as a cheerleader.
“My education is important to me, and I can’t wait to share more about it throughout my journey,” she said.
Hylton’s platform, Feul (Female x Fuel), focuses on teaching female athletes how to properly nourish themselves to achieve peak performance.
She is working on developing a personalized app that will help athletes tailor their nutrition based on their sport, daily workouts and athletic goals.
“I’m planning to visit schools and my community to talk about Feul,” she said. “It’s all about helping female athletes be their healthiest selves.”
Hylton was an active athlete in high school, participating in tennis, cheer, track and softball. Now, she is channeling her competitive spirit into the world of pageantry.
“In that moment, I really didn’t process it,” Hylton said, recalling the moment she won Miss Dodge City. “I heard my name and thought, ‘Oh, that’s me.’ It took a bit to sink in.”
Since earning the title, she has taken part in various events, including volunteering at the American Heart Association Heart Ball.
She is also preparing for the Miss Kansas USA competition by working on her stage presence, practicing her walk, and refining her interview skills, with the latter accounting for 30% of the overall score.
She will also showcase a unique talent and the one she chose is stand-up comedy. To prepare, she is partnering with a comedian to develop her routine.
Hylton’s trip into pageantry began when she was encouraged to compete in her first local competition – Miss Topeka. From there, she was contacted by the Miss Dodge City organization to participate.
The pageant helped her find a director (Jennifer Rodriguez), fundraising opportunities, and build a strong network.
Her ultimate goal is to win Miss Kansas USA, but she also sees the experience as a valuable networking opportunity, particularly as a business major.
She knows many young woman have received scholarships and opportunities by being involved with Miss America.
If she wins Miss Kansas USA, she will advance to the Miss America competition. If not, she plans to compete in another local pageant next year and take another shot at the state title.
Despite her busy schedule juggling pageants, cheerleading, and her double major, Hylton remains enthusiastic.
“It’s fun,” she said.
The Miss Kansas USA and Miss Kansas Teen USA competitions provide leadership development, public speaking experience, and educational opportunities for young women.
For more information about the Miss Kansas USA competition, visit the official website
