ORLANDO, FLA – When Buchanan, Mich. native Maya Schuhknecht started competing for the Miss Michigan title, she was told competing with speed painting as her talent was a bad idea.
On Thursday night on a national stage, Schuhknecht proved those people wrong when she won a Preliminary Talent Award at the 2024 Miss American competition in Orlando, Fla.
Schuhknecht, serving as Miss Michigan, is currently competing for the title of Miss America along with 50 other women. The preliminary competition has included an evening gown competition, interviews, a fitness showcase and a talent competition.
Having graduated from Michigan State University last year with a graphic design degree, Schuhknecht told MLive before she left for Florida that if she could win one award the entire competition, she’d like it to be for her unique talent.
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“If I had to choose a prelim award, first of all I want all three, but if I had to choose one specifically, talent would mean a lot to me,” Schuhknecht said in an interview in December. “I’ve never won a talent award at the state level, so that would mean a ton to me. The arts are my greatest passion.”
In a sparkling pink jumpsuit, Schuhknecht took to the stage on Thursday and painted a portrait of Michael Jackson upside down, flipping it around at the last second to show the judges her masterpiece.
Schuhknecht was one of three contestants to win a Preliminary Talent Award for best talent. The award comes with a $3,000 scholarship. The other two talent award winners were Miss North Carolina Taylor Loyd and Miss Maine Veronica Druchniak. Loyd sang a French aria and Druchniak performed an aerial hoop routine.
“Art is my passion, hobby, career and therapy,” Maya wrote on social media in a post announcing her win. “I had the time of my life sharing my love for the arts with you all near and far. I hope you all were inspired, entertained and had SO much fun!
“Miss America, I am so thankful for you and the opportunities you have given me! I truly shared my heart and spirit with the world last night! Here’s to making history!”
RELATED: Miss Michigan 2023 Maya Schuhknecht: ‘It feels like a dream’ to win statewide crown
Schuhknecht has been sharing her love of the arts with Michigan residents since she was crowned last summer with her social impact initiative, “Art for All.” She’s even created a Miss Michigan-themed coloring book for charity.
During the Miss Michigan competition in Muskegon last June, she wowed the crowd with her speed painting talent, painting a portrait of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Schuhknecht is the first-ever speed painter from the state of Michigan to win Miss Michigan and take the talent to the Miss America stage.
Schuhknecht will compete in the Miss America finals at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14. The competition will be livestreamed on the Miss America website, watchmissamerica.com. The winner will receive $60,000 in tuition scholarships.
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