Miss American Teen Tiarah Thornton participated in the 2025 Putnam Homecoming Parade.

Miss West Virginia Teen 2025, Tiarah Thornton, of Putnam County was officially crowned the 2026 Miss American Teen on August 31st in Orlando, Florida, at the Miss American Coed Pageant. Tiarah impressed judges across multiple categories which included interviews, modeling, and public speaking. She earned first place in speech and modeling.

A driven and dedicated student, Tiarah is a Senior at Buffalo High School and a captain of her soccer team, as well as a Putnam County 4-H member. She is currently enrolled in the Dental Assisting program at PCTC and is an active member of PCTC’s SkillsUSA team. Her accomplishments reflect not only her poise and talent, but also her commitment to making a difference in her community. With over 2000

community service hours in various organizations. She works hard and tries to raise awareness of community needs, making for a safer and more enjoyable community.