How have your experiences in pageantry changed your perception of pageantry?

Well before pageants I definitely thought of it where TV shows make it out to be a super competitive almost degrading situation. Ever since starting it like all the girls are so sweet and it is an uplifting experience. Get to be stronger for myself and make really strong connections with other people. 

How did you get your title in the pageantry? 

So in pageants there are different levels like sports have local, state, national there are the same levels for pageants. So you start off competing at a local competition and so that is what I won this year, last year and the year before. Then once you get a local title you move onto state you then compete for the state title for Miss Ind. or Miss Ind. Teen which is in June. So now I have a local title which is Miss Capital City Teen and compete for Miss Ind. Teen at the end of June. 

Why do you have different campaigns for your pageantry? 

The point of pageants is to create well rounded and up standing humans and young women. So there are different aspects to all of it. There is the talent competition which is to show you passion about something and working hard to it. There is fitness which is about mentally and physically fit and taking care of yourself. Evening gown is where you have pose and classiness. Interview which you

basically talk about yourself, your mission, your goals. Every candidate has to have a community service initiative and pick any community service initiative they like and they work to expand it. Different aspects to have a well rounded upstanding citizen. 

How are campaigns and initiatives different for you in pageantry?

So campaigning for yourself is talking about why you would be the best candidate. Why am I different from other girls and why should you pick me. Community service is just to give back to your community like my community service is Sadie Smiles For Seniors

work with senior citizens and Mayor Sue Finkham to state different ways to make our city and community more accessible for them. Campaigning for yourself vs giving back to your community through community service.

Why do you have different initiatives for your pageantry? 

So everyone is different and that there is not a set idea or theme that you have to choose for your community service. Many girls pick something that they are passionate about. I mean a lot of girls have a medical condition or a family member who has a medical condition. They do community service based on that. I am really close to my grandma that started it all. To be able to give back to my community by working with senior citizens is what made me choose mine. 

How do smiles for seniors correlate with your pageantry?

I came up with the name because my overall theme is just be kind to everyone. Also bridge the gap between generations. The name came from the understanding that even just a smile to a senior citizen passing a hallway or passing on the street is an easy and simple way to brighten someone’s day. 

What do you do with your program of smiles for seniors?

I work a lot with the mayor like meetings with the Mayor and meetings with other leadership positions to help ensure our community is accessible and safe for senior citizens. I also go to nursing homes to perform to them by singing. Why I do that is because music is a way to heal the mind. I not only volunteer myself but I encourage others to volunteer. I go to school to encourage younger kids and younger generations to do the same. 

Why is Miss Capital Teen Indiana so important to pageantry?

 So Miss Capital City Teen is one of the local organizations and super important for the Miss Ind. organization which is overall for the Miss America organization because it is like a stepping stone. So I want to get as far in the competition to make a bigger impact on my community and myself. Also make a difference and Miss Capital Teen is the stepping stone to get there. 

How did you first get started in the pageantry scene in Indiana? 

I had a few friends that went and competed at locals and went and saw them. Also this is really stressful and I never would want to do this. My really good friend Keigen Conner was Miss Ind. Teen two years ago. We have had two Ind. teens since then. She encouraged me by saying that you would love it and have a great time. You have to start doing it and I would do one locally but if I love it I would do it again. I won my very first time and have been doing it ever since. 

Why are their requirements for you to enter the pageantry scene in Indiana?  

So it depends on what local you are going for first off is your location so where you live. Some pageants are open which means anyone in the state of Ind. can compete against them. Whether it’s crazy North or crazy South wherever you live you can do it. Close pageants with a specific radius where you have to live in to be eligible for that pageant. So what I have right now Miss Capital City Teen where you have to live in Hamilton County or a specific radius. You have to have a community service initiative. You could have a plan, goal and passion. The best to go is the Miss Ind. organization website.