VALLEY — On Sunday January 7th, Amaya Garcia-White Buffalo was crowned Miss Colorado Jr. High School America 2018 at the Lone Tree Arts Center in Lone Tree. Amaya represented Southern Colorado, and now represents all Junior High students across the state.

Winning the title of Miss Colorado Jr. High School America, Amaya has received a full tuition scholarship to Western State Colorado University. Western State Colorado University has been named one of the TOP Colleges by Forbes. Amaya has also been awarded numerous sponsor gifts totaling over $10,000.

Amaya is a seventh grader at Centauri Middle School. Her leadership roles include being leader of “Wolfpack Unity”, captain of her sports teams, and she was a member of The Giving Back Committee. She volunteers at Tu Casa Domestic Violence Shelter, the Animal Shelter of Southern Colorado, and Conejos Clean Water.

Amaya is now a national ambassador for the anti-bullying campaign B.R.A.V.E, Building Respect and Values for Everyone. She will be spending the next year visiting schools across the state of Colorado.

Lexy and Angela Kadey, the Colorado state directors said, “The three ladies who were crowned this weekend, are going to make a huge impact. Our judges were blown away by their interviews, and we have some really incredible women on our hands.”

NFL player, 2018 Judge, Gerald Rivers said,” I hope Amaya never changes who she is, she inspired me this weekend.”

Throughout this weekend, the delegates were scored in three categories-individual interview (40 percent), evening gown (40 percent), and fashion runway (20 percent).

The Miss Colorado Jr. High, The Miss Colorado High School America, and Miss Colorado Collegiate America Pageant is the preliminary to the national Miss Jr. High School America, and the Miss Colorado Collegiate America pageant.