Geneva Dillon, a parent of three children who attend the school, asked Principal Ryan Flaherty for permission to reach out to her sister for a visit. Flaherty thought it would be a great idea, given her sibling is Miss Iowa USA: Hayley Buettell.

“It took a little time to coordinate, given the recent bad weather,” Flaherty said, “but it was worth putting together. Hayley gave the students a wonderful message on never giving up, and that things are worth working for.”

Buettell relates to the message well, having been a Miss Iowa pageant contestant five times before being crowned this past year.

“It’s so important to us to have building guests who talk about things that matter, like being a person of good character,” Flaherty said. “It was wonderful to see our students being so into her presentation and asking many questions.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, gives a hug to her nephew Ezra Dillon, 8, of Fort Dodge, during Buettell’s visit at Duncombe Elementary on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

Buettell read to several classrooms throughout the day from a book entitled, “Maybe” by Kobi Yamada. It was a book she selected “to show the importance of perseverance and working hard for the things you want to do in life,” according to Flaherty.

“She added that she picked the book because the pictures are so beautiful and lively,” Flaherty said.

Buettell also had a question-and-answer session, where she talked about everything from her favorite color and food to her favorite football team.

“She wore her sash and crown,” Flaherty said. “Many of the children asked about what it was like to be Miss Iowa USA and so forth.

“It was great having someone of this status visit Duncombe Elementary.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, takes a TikTok video with Duncombe Elementary students on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

Buettell, 27, grew up in Waterloo and Morning Sun. She currently lives in Tiffin. Buettell graduated from Mediapolis High School and the University of Iowa.

Representing Johnson County, Buettell was crowned Miss Iowa USA last August.

Winners from Iowa have been a part of the Miss USA program since 1952.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Nova Summers, 8, of Fort Dodge, tells Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, a story during Buettell’s visit to Duncombe Elementary on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, gives a hug to, from left, Addie Simpson, 9, of Fort Dodge; Nefertary Merida-Cano, 8, of Fort Dodge; and Karen Turcios, 8, of Fort Dodge, at Duncombe Elementary on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, answers questions from Duncombe Elementary students on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, answers questions from Duncombe Elementary students on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, hugs Duncombe Elementary students, from left, Khloe Ray, 8, of Fort Dodge; Leddi Donahe, 8, of Fort Dodge; and Bentley Hughes, 8, of Fort Dodge, on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, visits with Duncombe Elementary student Kasen Bell, 7, of Fort Dodge on Tuesday.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, visits Duncombe Elementary School on Tuesday. She read the book “Maybe” by Kobi Yamada to the students and answered questions.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Hayley Buettell, Miss Iowa USA, visits Duncombe Elementary School on Tuesday. She read to the students and answered questions.