Batavia grad to vie for Miss Iowa title

Some little girls dream of becoming Miss America. Others choose to enter the scholarship contest to pay off college loans. Christy Scimeca wanted to do the one thing that she loves - dance.

"I have always loved dancing and performing," said the vibrant young woman. "Getting involved in the pageant gave me that opportunity."

Scimeca was a 2010 graduate of Batavia High School. She excelled in school, both in academics and extracurricular activities. She was a member of the varsity dance team and served as captain her senior year.

After high school, Christy Scimeca headed to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa where she earned a bachelor of arts in dance, a bachelor of science in athletic training and an entrepreneurialship certificate in management. She currently works as a teacher at Nolte Academy of Dance, and as a PRN athletic trainer. She also coaches the Cedar Rapids Titan Dolls for the Titans Indoor Football team.

Scimeca won the Miss Pearl City pageant in January. She is excited to participate in the Miss Iowa pageant, not only to showcase her lyrical dance routine but also to shed light on an issue that is very important to her.

"My brother, Steve, was born March 16, 1997, at only 1 pound 13 ounces," she said. "I personally do not remember much from this day because I was only 5, but I do remember getting a phone call from my mom and dad telling me his name and not quite understanding why I couldn't see my new brother. Neither did I know at this time that we wouldn't be able to bring him home for 125 days."

Steve Scimeca had to deal with multiple health issues and surgeries. As a result of Steve's prematurity and brain bleeds at birth, Steve deals with cerebral palsy.

"Steve lives each day with a smile on his face even though he has faced all these hardships," Scimeca said. "it truly shows how much of a miracle he really is."

Christy Scimeca is one of her brother's biggest supporters, which is why she chose the March of Dimes: Education on Prematurity as her platform. She plans to teach families in Iowa about the severity of premature birth. She is committed to raising funds for the March of Dimes, having recently attained Circle of Champions status by personally raising over $1,000 to help the organization.

"Steve wasn't the only one who was born prematurely," said Scimeca. "I was, and I have a new cousin who was also."

Scimeca hopes to pursue a master's degree and to become an athletic trainer for the NFL.

"For the last two years of college I worked with the Iowa football team," she said. "My senior year I even traveled with them to away games. I really enjoyed it."

Scimeca is excited about the upcoming Miss Iowa Scholarship program that takes place at 7 p.m. June 11, 12 and 13 at The Adler Theater in Davenport, Iowa. In the audience will be her parents, Cindy and Vic Scimeca as well as her brother, Steve. Members of her dance studio family are also making the trip to Davenport to cheer her on.

If you would like to follow the pageant, visit Scimeca's Facebook page: Miss Pearl City 2015 - Christy Scimeca.