Taylor Wiebers

Early titles

Wiebers began competing in pageants at an early age, winning various titles over the years. At age 9, in February 2004, she was the first young girl to be named Li'l Miss Clinton County. Wiebers was twice crowned Miss Clinton County's Outstanding Teen.

On June 26, 2010, Wiebers was crowned Miss Clinton County's Outstanding Teen 2010. Her platform for the title was "Kicking it to Kids’ Cancer". On March 12, 2011, Wiebers had her head shaved at a St. Baldrick's Foundation event raising money to fund pediatric cancer research. She raised more than $2,800 for the cause. Just 3 months later, Wieber was one of 19 competitors in the statewide Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen 2011 pageant. She placed second runner-up to winner Francesca Lubecki-Wilde.

Vying for Miss Iowa

In August 2011, Wiebers won the Miss Scott County 2011 title and the right for her first attempt at the Miss Iowa title. In June 2012, she was one of 12 titleholders competing in the statewide pageant. She was named second runner-up to Miss Iowa 2012 winner Mariah Cary.

In February 2013, Wiebers won the Miss Johnson County 2013 title. In June 2013, she was one of 13 women competing at the statewide pageant to become Miss Iowa 2013. She was named third runner-up to winner Nicole Kelly.

On October 26, 2013, Wiebers won the Miss River City 2014 title. She went on to compete in the 2014 Miss Iowa pageant, but was not a top-5 finalist.

Miss Iowa 2015

On July 26, 2014, Wiebers was crowned Miss Clinton County 2015 which made her eligible to compete at the Miss Iowa pageant in June 2015. Entering the state pageant at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, as one of 16 finalists, Wiebers's competition talent was a musical theatre-style vocal performance of "Don't Rain on My Parade" from the musical Funny Girl. Her platform is "Kicking it to Kids' Cancer", raising awareness and funds for the fight against pediatric cancer.

Wiebers won the competition on Saturday, June 13, 2015, when she received her crown from outgoing Miss Iowa titleholder Alysa Lou Olson. As Miss Iowa, her activities include public appearances across the state of Iowa.

Vying for Miss America 2016

Wiebers was Iowa's representative at the Miss America 2016 pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 2015. She won a preliminary talent competition, earning a $2,000 scholarship award. In the televised finale on September 13, 2015, she placed in the Top 12 as a semi-finalist but was eliminated after the evening wear competition. Wiebers was awarded a $5,000 scholarship prize.

Personal life and education

Wiebers is a native of Clinton, Iowa, and a 2012 graduate of Clinton High School. Her parents are Robert and Shannon Nielsen and Ryan Wiebers.

Wiebers began dance lessons when she was 4 years old and has been participating in musical theater since age 9. Her experience includes major performance roles with the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre and Quad-City Music Guild. Wiebers attended Drake University for one year. She is currently a student at the University of Iowa where she is majoring in child life studies.