Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, Thursday, March 14, 2013

  Madison HOSFIELD, 2012 Mount Ayr homecoming queen, was named Iowa's 33rd Annual Homecoming Queen at ceremonies held at the West Des Moines Sheraton Sunday.

HOSFIELD will receive a cash scholarship plus an all-expense-paid trip to the national finals in Memphis, TN in late July to compete with queens from across the nation for the title of America's Homecoming Queen. America's Homecoming Queen, Inc., is a non-profit organzation promoting education, educational travel and community service in all 50 states.

More information is available at americashomecomingqueen.com.

HOSFIELD is the daughter of Randy and Stephanie HOSFIELD of Mount Ayr.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2013

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 20, 2013

Madison HOSFIELD, 2013 Iowa's Homecoming Queen, will attend the 32nd annual America's Homecoming Queen national finals in Memphis, TN on July 20-24.

HOSFIELD is the daughter of Randy and Stephanie HOSFIELD of Mount Ayr. HOSFIELD, the 2012 Mount Ayr Community high school homecoming queen, was named Iowa's Homecoming Queen at the state event held in March to qualify for the national event openonly to high school homecoming queens.

"I'm really excited and nervous to be representing my state," she said, "but I look forward to the experience and the opportunity to meet tons of different girls from all over the country."

According to material furnished by event organizers, "The purpose of the organization is to promote education, educational travel and community service for all high school homecoming queens in all 50 states."

All state finalists receive a scholarship with the amount being determined as to how the finalist places at the nationals.

"A very important purpose is to guide and motivate these young women to participate in community service," wrote Peggy Lee HESTER, executive director of America's Homecoming Queen.

HOSFIELD is currently seeking opportunities to volunteer her time helping with community events. She has already participated [with] area Easter egg hunts and various fund-raisers for the Mount Ayr aquatic center. This summer she is serving as a counselor at 4-H camp.

She invites any group who has an eventor project to contact her.

HOSFIELD does not consider the national event to be a stereotypical beauty contest.

"Definitely not," she said. "It's more of an ambassadorship. You're judged on how well you present yourself."

At nationals, contestants will compete in personal interviews and prom gown competition only. There is no swimsuit or talent competition.

According to HESTER, the image of a homecoming queen has changed significantly over the years. The competition will stress each contestant's ability to communicate.

"The emphasis will be on interview," she explained. "We feel that a girl could be very talen-ed and very beautiful, but without being able to communicate properly, the other two would be lost."

HOSFIELD said all national finalists will undergo a series of 10 one-on-one interviews with the ten judges. She said she was not sure of the topic or focus of the interview questions, a fact that only adds to her nervousness.

Another requirement in the competition is the presentation of a one-minute speech on why the contestant's home state is the "best" state. HOSFIELD said she is still pullling her ideas together for that event.

Besides the crowning of the 2013 America's Homecoming Queen, special recognition is given to the top ten finalists as well as top finishers in video, speech and public relations competitions. In addition, one contestant will be named Miss Congeniality.

The national finalists also have the opportunity to appear on a float in the Liberty Bowl parade on New Year's Eve.

An on-line aspect to the America"s Homecoming Queen competition is the naming of America's "Favorite" Homecoming Queen. HOSFIELD explained this competition is open to all contestants who participated at the state level, including those who advanced to the national finals. In this competition supporters may vote on-line for their favorite contestant. Each vote costs $1 with proceeds going to the AHQ scholarship fund. More information can be found on the AHQ website.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2013