If Abigaille Batu-Tiako isn’t on the monitor, she’s on the runway.
Batu-Tiako represented Oskaloosa on the massive stage on the Miss Iowa USA 2022 Pageant on Could 21 in Des Moines. As Miss Oskaloosa, she was named first runner up out of 28 rivals.
“I walked in with the mentality of ‘I’m Miss Iowa USA.’ I simply already felt it. I used to be very assured the complete weekend, and after I first received there, I noticed I used to be one of many youngest contestants there,” Batu-Tiako mentioned. “There was one other 19-year-old, however we had been the 2 youngest. I competed towards legal professionals and docs and individuals who have high-end jobs, and right here I used to be, a school scholar.
“I really feel like I felt extra empowered to be up on stage with these individuals, as a result of I knew I used to be surrounded by ladies which can be simply bada– ladies interval, and I simply thought that was superior.”
Batu-Tiako will start her junior yr at William Penn College this fall, the place she majors in enterprise administration and minors in new media and communications. An completed athlete, she is a member of the ladies’s monitor and area workforce and competes in jumps (excessive and lengthy), the 100-meter and the 4×100 meter relay.
“I got here right here and have been breaking some data with my workforce, and we’ve been making an attempt actually, actually exhausting to get to Nationals, so I’m enthusiastic about that,” she mentioned. “Monitor has all the time been my ardour.”
Batu-Tiako can also be a mannequin, which she delivered to Iowa along with her from New York. She can also be a first-generation American after her household migrated to the Huge Apple from Central Africa.
Final weekend’s competitors was solely Batu-Tiako’s second pageant ever. Her first was competing for Miss New York Teen USA when she was 15 years outdated to “make new pals and have enjoyable.” However this time, Batu-Tiako was in it to win.
“I don’t assume Iowa has had a Black girl to characterize them in 22 years, in order that additionally gave me that push. I wish to be that illustration for some younger ladies within the state and throughout the nation to empower ladies by way of range,” she mentioned. “That’s what I actually needed to do. I’ve all the time needed to assist ladies develop a queen-conscious mentality.”
The primary Black girl to be topped Miss Iowa was Cheryl Browne of Decorah in 1970. Jennifer Caudle of Davenport was the second Black girl to be named Miss Iowa in 2000.
Randi Estabrook of Central Iowa was topped Miss Iowa 2022. Though it wasn’t the result she hoped for, Batu-Tiako shall be again on stage competing in subsequent yr’s pageant.
“As first runner up, I’ll fill in if something occurs [to Miss Iowa], however I’m hoping nothing occurs, as a result of I need her to have a profitable reign. She’s an superior girl,” she mentioned. “However I shall be again subsequent yr to compete once more,and hopefully I can take that title and characterize Iowa at Miss USA, as a result of I’m craving that Miss USA title … I’m telling myself I’m gonna be on that stage, and I do know it’s going to occur.”