GRAND MEADOW, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Miss Gabrielle Karlen, nine-year-old daughter of Jeff and Christine Karlen of Grand Meadow, has earned the prestigious title of 2008 National American Miss Minnesota.

She will be attending the National Pageant to be held in Anaheim, California at Disneyland during Thanksgiving week, representing the great state of Minnesota, where she will have the opportunity to win her share of $500,000 in cash and prizes!

The National American Miss Pageants are dedicated to celebrating America's greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year the National American Miss Pageants awards $1.5 million in cash, scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide.



Gabrielle's activities include being a Miss Minnesota Princess (which she won the day before her seventh birthday), playing piano for Mayo Clinic and church dance (ballet & tap), T-ball, swimming, basketball, cheerleading, wrestling and having fun with family and friends.

This year National American Miss added an exciting new prize to be awarded to the 2008-2009 National American Miss queens in each age division-a new convertible Ford Mustang! National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across our nation with a program that is designed to be age appropriate and family-oriented. Pageants are held in each state for girls ages four to 18 in five different age divisions.

The pageant program, for "today's girl" and "tomorrow's leaders", is based on inner beauty as well as poise presentation and offers an "All-American Spirit" of fun for family and friends. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future.

Gabrielle won the talent competition by playing piano, received first runner-up for Best Resume and was first runner up for Miss Personality.