A 2005 graduate of Gilbert High School was crowned Miss Arizona American Coed during a pageant July 28 in Tucson.
Melody Knudson, 20, a junior majoring in intercultural studies at Biola University in California, said she is proud to be the winner because judges focused on elements that make a well-rounded person, such as poise, interview skills and personal confidence.
“It’s not a beauty pageant,” she said.
The American Coed Program has operated pageants since 1983 and has awarded more than $12 million to contestants nationwide, according pageant Web sites.
Knudson said she worked hard to prepare for the pageant.
“Because of the nature of this pageant, it means a lot because it means I have achieved the standards of this program,” she said.
Knudson will compete for the national title in November.
