Meet the new Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA

Contestants in both the Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA strode across the stage at McMorran Theater as energetic music pulsed through speakers Saturday night.

After missing a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual pageant returned to Port Huron this weekend.

The weekend started with a preliminary round Friday night, which gave judges a first-look at the contestants. At the start of the semifinal competition Saturday, the number of contestants was reduced to 16.

During the semifinals, contestants took part in the swimsuit and evening wear competitions. Contestants in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant competed in active wear and evening wear.

After a brief intermission, 11 contestants in both pageants were sent home before the finals.

In the finals, contestants were given a final question to answer. The Miss Michigan Teen contestants were asked questions focusing on topics such as community service, volunteerism and social media, while the Miss Michigan USA contestants faced questions dealing with their personal accomplishments and mission statements and controversy around pageantry.

In the end, Miss Lake State Teen Jada Moylan was crowned Miss Michigan Teen USA, and Miss Spirit of Detroit Taylor Hale was crowned Miss Michigan USA. The two will go on to compete in the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants later this year.

Contact Brian Wells at (810) 357-8668 or bwells@gannett.com.