Hailey Colborn of Kansas wins Miss Teen USA

Ahead of the Miss USA crowning, over the weekend Hailey Colborn of Kansas was crowned Miss Teen USA.  She will study at Princeton University this fall.  Details follow:

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, La., May 21, 2018  -- The Miss Universe Organization has crowned Hailey Colborn as Miss Teen USA 2018 at George's Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana. The event, which took place on Friday, May 18, featured young women representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  

Hailey is a 17-year-old high school senior with a 4.0 GPA who will attend Princeton University this fall. The Wichita native plans to pursue a career as a political strategist and hopes to run for office one day. As a classically trained ballet dancer, Hailey started a mentorship program, SelfPosi, which teaches young women about the importance of self-love encouraged by her own experiences. 

Contestants competed in Athletic Wear, Evening Gown, Final Question and Final Look. Sophia-Dominguez-Heithoff crowned Hailey her successor at the conclusion of the annual event.  

The Miss Teen USA selection committee who determined this year's winner included:

• Brittney Rogers Collins, Miss Louisiana USA 2003; board member for Renee's Run, a non-profit organization committed to raising funds for pancreatic cancer research and treatment.
• Ashley Fox, Award-winning sports journalist and analyst; former NFL reporter and columnist for ESPN, Sports Illustrated and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Kalani Hilliker, Television star from DANCE MOMS, judge of TV show THE LOOK, model, author, designer and actress.
• Bia Roldan, Multi-media journalist and news reporter for KTBS in Shreveport.
• Crystle Stewart Sebrechts, Television host, model and actress; founder of MISS Academy (Manners, Image, Style, and Success), an organization committed to translating traditional values through pop culture; Miss USA 2008.
• Marta Topran, Beauty Director at Seventeen, Cosmopolitan and Women's Health magazines; specializes in creating content for and connecting with Millennial and Gen Z women and teens across America.

Final Results:   

First Runner-Up:  Miss South Carolina Teen USA Kirby Elizabeth Self
Second Runner-Up:  Miss Colorado Teen USA Chloe Zambrano
Third Runner-Up:  Miss Illinois Teen USA Sydni-Dion Bennett

Top Five:  Miss Colorado Teen USA Chloe Zambrano; Miss North Carolina Teen USA Kaaviya Sambasivam; Miss South Carolina Teen USA Kirby Elizabeth Self; Miss Kansas Teen USA Hailey Colborn; Miss Illinois Teen USA Sydni-Dion Bennett

For the first time ever, MISS TEEN USA® took place days prior to the 2018 MISS USA® Competition, which will air on Monday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET, live on FOX. Vanessa and Nick Lachey will host, Carson Kressley and Lu Sierra will serve as competition insiders, and 98° and Lee Brice are set to perform. Miss USA will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of accomplished female entrepreneurs, business leaders and industry experts, including former Miss USA contestants. In the lead-up, fans have been voting for their favorite contestant to advance into the semifinals and will again be able to vote during the live broadcast. The two-hour event will conclude with Miss USA 2017 Kára McCullough crowning her successor, chosen from representatives of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.