By Beacon Staff
After competing in Miss Iowa competitions since 2019, Burlington native and resident Olivia Keller will be hanging up her sash when her time as Miss Scott County is complete on Aug. 20.
But she was able to make a splash before leaving. Keller, who is also a former Miss Great River, placed fourth runner-up in the Miss Iowa pageant on June 10 and 11.
“It was pretty exciting for me because I didn’t even make the finals last year,” Keller said.
Ever the competitor, Keller didn’t want a repeat of that performance. So she learned to sing Mozart’s Queen of the Night Aria – in German. Singing opera is Keller’s specialty, and she rehearsed with the other Miss Iowa contestants until 11 p.m. the nights before her performance.
“This year looked quite a bit different than last year. Last year we had a lot of COVID restrictions,” she said. “This year, we had princess camp and got to meet the princesses, and we had rehearsals every day.”
Now that Miss Iowa is over, Keller is back in Burlington, focusing on her latest service project called “Spread the Love.” It’s a combination canned food drive and literacy drive, designed to collect food and books for children. She’s looking to set up drop-off points soon.
“I just need some help from local businesses,” she said.
Keller shined her local fame on her “Project Kindness” initiative two years ago, teaming with local businesses to provide books and winter clothing donations for children. She re-launched it last year to coincide with her reign as Miss Scott County.
Keller was raised by a single mother and understands how times can get tough. She found out a lot of other locals possess the same understanding.
“I was really shocked last year by all the donations,” she said.
Keller, 25, didn’t expect another reign as a pageant queen before becoming Miss Scott County. But then the rules changed, and the age limit was pushed up a year. She has dreamed of being a pageant queen since she was a little girl and will continue to work with the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program.
Keller plans on using the scholarship money she has earned from Miss Iowa to attend Western Illinois University and major in music therapy and vocal performance.
“I will help out at local competitions and in the Miss Burlington program. I would love to be a part of that,” she said. “I’ve grown so much. My speaking skills, my confidence, my walk, and how I present myself as a woman. I really couldn’t be more grateful for what the organization has done for me.”
Those interested in donating to Project Spread the Love or providing a venue to drop off items can contact Keller through Facebook at “Miss Scott County 2021, Olivia Keller,” call her at 319-768-9974, or send monetary donations to the project to P.O. Box 853, Burlington, Iowa, 52601.