LUDINGTON — Ashley McPike of Ludington was crowned Miss Ludington Area 2026 Sunday, Dec. 21 during the competition held at L.F. Peterson Auditorium. Five women from Mason and Oceana counties participated in the event. Savannah Hanson was named first runner up.
McPike impressed the judges with her service initiative (formerly known as a platform) titled, “Sparking their Future” which aims to encourage and inspire youth in Engineering. For the talent portion, McPike rocked the stage performing a drumming routine to the song “Mr. Brightside”. A sophomore at the University of Michigan, McPike is studying Electrical Engineering and is active with club Volleyball. She is a 2024 graduate of Ludington High School.
Miss Ludington Area is an official preliminary to Miss Michigan and Miss America. In June 2026 McPike will participate in the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant held in Muskegon, where more scholarship opportunities will be available. The winner of the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant will go on to compete for Miss America in September. The Miss America Opportunity is the largest scholarship provider to women in the country.
Miss Ludington Area receives a $1,000 scholarship from the Michael Schonbrun and Juroe families. West Shore Bank provides a $500 scholarship for the first runner up. Safe Harbor Credit Union provides $1,000 in scholarship that is divided between all five candidates, meaning everyone walks off the stage with a scholarship for participating. The Ludington Optimist Club provides a $500 community service scholarship that is awarded based on essays submitted from the candidates explaining how community service has impacted them and their communities. Miss Ludington 1978, Staci Palma Collins, provides a $1,000 scholarship for the talent portion of the competition, honoring her talent wins from her time competing. New this year, Miss Ludington Area 2025, Natalee Urbon, provided a $100 scholarship to the congeniality winner, honoring her time at Miss Michigan and promoting a friendly and supportive lifestyle.
McPike was also the winner of the Optimist Community Service Award and the Talent Award. The congeniality award, voted on amongst the candidates, was awarded to Makyznie Curtis.
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