The History of the
Miss Malden Scholarship Pageant

     In early 1978, the late award winning country music legend Tammy Wynette married her manager, George Richy who happened to be a Malden , Missouri native. The Malden Chamber of Commerce teamed up with George Richey's brother, local Malden businessman, Carl Richardson, to sponsor the First Annual 4 th of July Celebration in Malden. The week long event climaxed with a parade, the Tammy Wynette concert, and a huge display following the concert. Local clubs and organizations sponsored activities throughout the week leading up to the much anticipated show. Following American tradition, a queen was needed to preside over the week's festivities. Thus, the first Miss 4 th of July Pageant was held in conjunction with the 1978 celebration. Directors for the pageant that first year were Carol Demaree, and Flo Bennett.

     Contestants were plentiful as young women from around the Malden community wanted to win and be introduced on Tammy Wynette's stage and have the opportunity to meet the country music icon before her concert started. The concerts were held outdoors at the Tammy Wynette Park as Malden had no indoor facility large enough to house crowds that numbered in the thousands. Tammy presented concerts annually for 17 years in the late evening around the 4 th of July. Due to her failing health, she performed her last concert in 1995. She passed away in the spring of 1998.

     In 1984, six years after the first Miss 4 th of July Pageant, Miss Missouri 1984, Anna Maria Schell encouraged Carol and Flo to have Malden 's Miss 4 th of July Pageant become a Miss Missouri preliminary. At the time, there were no local preliminary pageants in Southeast Missouri . Although Carol and Flo didn't feel they had enough experience to direct such a pageant, they apprehensively agree. With the help of Anna Maria Schell, and field director, the late Peter Patrick, Miss Malden's 4 th of July became part of the Miss Missouri “pageant family” in 1984. During the mid ‘80's, Jackie Bennett (Flo's daughter-in-law), joined the pageant committee where she served in all capacities and is currently the executive director of Miss Malden. Flo has since been selected as the regional field director for Southeast Missouri.

     The Miss Malden Scholarship Pageant was conducted as a closed pageant until 1994 when we held our first open preliminary. The pageant board has grown by leaps and bounds and now consists of 11 volunteers. Miss Malden has persevered over time to be one of the longest running preliminaries in the state of Missouri . During its 21 year history, Miss Malden has given approximately $30,000 in scholarship money to its title holders and alternates. The Miss Malden Pageant committee is dedicated to continuing to serve young women and give them a wonderful opportunity to compete in the Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant in the future.