The night of December 20, 2009 proved to be one of the most memorable moments in Olivia Harlan’s life. Before being announced Miss Kansas Teen USA, Olivia thought to herself, “I have nothing to lose, but so much to gain.” She was crowned in Lawrence, Kansas surrounded by her best friends and family. Olivia was born and raised in Mission Hills, KS. The 16-year-old is a junior at Shawnee Mission East High School where she is a varsity cheerleader, chairs a committee to provide birthday parties for underprivileged kids, is involved in musical productions, and is a member of her school choir. This spring break she is touring with this choir to Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague. Olivia also student directs musicals at her former middle school and is a youth deacon at her church. Olivia is a volunteer at Operation Breakthrough daycare center in Kansas City’s inner city. Olivia has spent every summer of her life in Door County, WI with her family where they sail, bike, and enjoy their summer on beautiful Lake Michigan. This summer she will be interning for an event planner to gain work experience and further her knowledge regarding her career goals. She will also be attending a one week summer class at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Olivia is the third of four children to Ann and Kevin Harlan. In her free time, Olivia loves to go on walks with her mom, see movies with her sisters, and go out to eat with friends. She loves to travel and hopes to cross off a new destination from her list every year. Olivia is in the middle of her college search, looking at schools on the East coast.

With her new title, Olivia looks forward to being an ambassador for the sunflower state: giving her voice and effort to philanthropic causes, participating in a variety of activities, and living up to the high ideals of Miss Kansas Teen. She is available for interviews, speaking engagements, autograph signing, or any other hosted event. She will represent Kansas at the 2010 Miss Teen USA pageant to be held this summer in the Bahamas.