Idaho Junior Miss wins U.S. title

Coeur d’Alene High School graduate Madison Denise Leonard has won the American Junior Miss pageant.

Leonard, the reigning Idaho Junior Miss, was crowned Saturday night in Mobile, Ala., and became the first to win under the pageant’s new title, Distinguished Young Woman of America.

“I can’t believe I was chosen from all of these winners,” Leonard told the Mobile Press-Register. “All of these girls qualify to be where I am. I’m so honored.”

Her national victory added $41,000 in scholarships to the $9,100 she earned from the Idaho pageant, according to the national group, which also has changed its name from America’s Junior Miss to Distinguished Young Women.

Leonard plans to attend Pepperdine University in Southern California this fall.