My Pageant Experiences
a look behind the scenes
My Favorite Volunteer experiences
Virtual Food Drive
Working with Everyday Heroes and the Central Texas Food Bank by doing a virtual food drive has been amazing. So far I have raised a little over $500 and have a goal of $3,000. Food insecurity is a big issue in American and when we buy up unnecessary amounts of food during a pandemic it limits the resources available to people already struggling. If you feel compelled to donate I have attached a link to do so!
Psalm 139 Event
I was able to be on the steering committee for two years for a women's conference at my university. We were able to create a beautiful event for the women on campus where we could all come together and worship God and discuss what it means to be fully known and loved. Women's ministry is very important to me, and I loved getting to make all the lists and cost sheets and excel forms turn into a conference.
Literacy Support
One of my favorite things to do is read and I have loved getting to share that with students. Reading to my teacher friends' classes, fundraising with Marine Toys for Tots Literacy program, and book drives are amazing ways to encourage literacy. If you'd like to donate to the Marine Toys for Tots initiative I have provided a link. This link is not currently for the literacy program but is just for their fundraising campaign. With how people have been affected by the world pandemic it is never too early to try and fundraise for someone else's Christmas.
Leading Small Group
One of the most rewarding things I am able to do is co-lead a small group of middle school girls with my church. I have been with my girls for almost two years now and it has been incredible seeing their relationships with God develop. I remember being in middle school and looking up to the older kids at church, and it has been awesome to help lead them in their walks with Christ through these formative years.
Animal Rescue
For whatever reason I have found 3 animals in the past year that were lost or abandoned and needed taking to rescue centers. My dad is on the board for Texas Humane Heroes so I am fortunate enough to have connections with those resources to help the animals I have come into contact with that needed more help than I could provide. To find out more about volunteering with THH click the link below.
COVID-19 Volunteering
Because of the current climate some of my favorite things that I've done has been making masks and donating clothes to local donation centers, as well as starting my virtual food drive. PPE limitations in hospitals make an already hard job that much harder. Donating masks to these teams that are working tirelessly on their patients helps limit PPE waste and helps protects everyone involved. To learn how to make masks I have provided a link to a great site that also accepts mask donations.
St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
This past year one of my sister queens was diagnosed with cancer. It rocked all of our worlds, but we can never pretend to know what she and her family have been going through. Because of this I have decided to captain a team for the St. Jude Walk in September! If you would like to join my team or donate, click the link provided! To support Kynlee you can find her page at "Kynlee's Courage" on Facebook.
Little Free Library
During isolation I have had the awesome opportunity to donate many items. A lot of which have been books!! I am a huge reader, so there are a high volume of books in my home that I have read through really quickly (sometimes over and over) and are just sitting around waiting for someone else to enjoy their stories. Luckily there are three or four Little Free Libraries near me and I have been able to drop off many of those books to hopefully find a new home.
Erin Condren FUNdraiser
From July 27-30th I will be partnering with Erin Condren to raise money for various fundraisers and donations including donations to Give Hope Global, proceeds going towards my St. Jude fundraiser, and if there are funds left over it will go towards other pageant fundraising experiences. If you want to shop the fundraiser check out the online store, and then call to place your order and mention my name at checkout!
Past Pageants
2012 - now
NAM North Texas - 2012
no placement
In 2012 I competed in my first ever pageant with NAM North Texas. I was so nervous and scared, but met some amazing girls and ended up having the best time. I took a couple years off after this first one, but the pageant bug had definitely bit me. I didn't place in anything, but I was proud of myself for trying something new and stepping out of my comfort zone.
NAM North Texas - 2017
3rd runner up
2017 was my last time competing with NAM Texas and it was just as amazing as the first. I got into the top 5 and was planning on going to Nationals as the Miss Austin Teen, but unfortunately had an emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder and couldn't attend.
Texas IJM - 2018
Lone Star State Teen
My first time branching out in the world of pageantry was with the International Junior Miss system. I have worked at a dress store in Austin called Z Couture since 2017 and my boss finally convinced me to compete in miss Kathy's pageant and I am forever thankful that I made that leap. I won the Lone Star teen title (my first title ever!) and had the best time at state.
IJM Internationals 2018
Miss Congeniality
This was my first time at an International pageant and it did not disappoint. I met so many amazing people from all over the world, and while I didn't place anything (and fell on my butt on stage) I did walk away with the Miss Congeniality award and that meant everything to me.
Texas IJM - 2019
Miss Texas 2019
I won! What! On March 17th of 2019 I won the Texas title for International Junior Miss. That reign was one of the biggest blessings ever, and I had so much fun. My sister queens were and are some of my favorite people ever, and miss Kathy is the best director. I am still so thankful and proud of my year as the Texas Miss queen.
IJM Internationals - 2019
3rd in the world
When I tell you I was over the moon in this picture I mean it. After not placing anything at the 2018 finals, in 2019 I won photogenic, got 1st runner up in casual wear, 3rd runner up in talent, best interview, best evening gown, and miss congeniality for a second year in a row! AND... Got into the top 16, then the top 5, and ended at 3rd place in the world.
