Miss City of Maricopa crowned Miss Arizona

Jennifer Smestad, the reigning Miss City of Maricopa, donned a new crown Saturday night as she was named Miss Arizona.

The Grand Canyon University student also was chosen the Quality of Life winner, received the Children’s Miracle Make Award from the Children’s Miracle Network and won preliminary talent and swimsuit awards during the week of competition.

“We are extremely proud of her and the hard work that she put forth in preparing for Miss Arizona,” said Jeanette Masters, executive director of the Miss City of Maricopa contest, in a press release.

“Being Miss City of Maricopa was the first local title that Jennifer won, and came in as a ‘rookie’ to win the title of Miss Arizona,” Masters said.

Saturday's contest, held at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, was the second year a Miss City of Maricopa title holder competed in Miss Arizona.

“(We) were extremely blessed to help Jennifer connect with a phenomenal pageant prep team including, Carrie Vargas (of Maricopa Community Theatre), Nicole Turner Flesner, (Miss Arizona 2007) and Jennifer Nagy (vocal coach at Chandler Gilbert Community College),” Masters said.

Smestad will go on to compete in the Miss America competition in Atlantic City Sept. 15.