Kaliece Henry: Confidence and Crowns

Kaliece Henry is a licensed esthetician, community leader, and national pageant award recipient from Columbus, Georgia. She currently serves as Miss Georgia Petite 2026 through the Petite USA Pageant system. Her platform, Power in the Mirror, focuses on confidence, self-love, unity, and women’s health. Kaliece Henry’s work extends across pageantry, beauty, skin care studies, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE: THIS PAGEANT QUEEN RISES
           

Georgia native and nationally recognized titleholder Kaliece Henry, newly crowned Miss Georgia Petite 2026, announces the expansion of her statewide empowerment initiative, Power in the Mirror (P.I.M.) — a movement dedicated to uplifting women through confidence-building, health, and community unity.

At just 23 years old, Kaliece’s journey has already inspired countless women across Georgia. A graduate of Foothills Charter High School at sixteen through a dual enrollment program, she continued her education on scholarship at Savannah Technical College, earning her Clinical Medical Assistant Certification before becoming a Licensed Esthetician in 2021. For the past four years, she has proudly served as the Manager and Lead Esthetician at Columbus Skin Care Salon — the Tri-City area’s #1 skincare and beauty enhancement establishment.

Growing up, Kaliece was surrounded by leadership. From student council, FBLA, and women’s empowerment groups to various community initiatives, she was consistently placed in positions of responsibility. She credits these early experiences with shaping her into the woman she is today — someone who leads with compassion, purpose, and unwavering integrity. Henry believes she was born to lead and born to impact, and she has embraced that calling throughout every stage of her life.

In addition to her pageant work, Kaliece had been professionally modeling for over eight years, an experience that has contributed to her confidence, poise, and personal brand. She has displayed fashion and beauty on runways in New York, Miami, and Milan Fashion Weeks. She has been featured in professional campaigns for Walmart and various digital platforms. Through her modeling journey, Kaliece has refined her craft while inspiring others to embrace their unique beauty and potential.

Kaliece credits the world of pageantry with transforming her life, giving her confidence, direction, and a platform to uplift others. Today, she uses that platform to transform women across all around and beyond — guiding them toward confidence, healing, and self-belief through her work, her leadership, and her

growing movement, Power In The Mirror.

A Story of Resilience and Purpose

Kaliece entered her first preliminary pageant in 2022, earning the titles Miss Columbus 2022 and Miss Georgia USOA 2022–2023 under the United States of America Pageants system. She was later recognized in nationals located in Las Vegas, Nevada as Miss Congeniality for her positivity and extraordinary sisterhood. Her rapidly growing impact in the pageant community led her to judge multiple youth and collegiate pageants, including Miss Black and Gold, Miss Hardaway, The Royal Elegance Pageant, and Miss Juneteenth, where she mentored and connected with young women seeking their voice.

In 2024, Kaliece earned the title Miss Atlantic Coast Petite 2024–2025, expanding her influence through volunteer work, panel discussions, community outreach, and media appearances across Georgia. During the 2025 Petite USA National Pageant in Chicago, she earned the titles Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, placed in the Top 10, the Top 5, and ultimately became 3rd Runner-Up in the National Miss Division — marking such an accomplishment as only her second time on a national stage.

Today, she proudly represents Georgia once again as Miss Georgia Petite 2026. 

Kaliece’s platform, Power in the Mirror, is her signature initiative inspired by her own transformation — from a once timid teen bullied for her skin tone and quiet nature, to a confident, community-driven leader.

P.I.M. Mission Statement

“At Power in the Mirror, our mission is to empower women to see their strength, embrace their confidence, and rise together in unity. We are dedicated to fostering a supportive community that uplifts every woman — mind, body, and spirit. Through connection, education, and encouragement, we strive to nurture self-love, promote health, and inspire continuous growth for women everywhere.”

Through workshops, speaking engagements, mentorship programs, community events, and collaborative initiatives, Kaliece aims to expand P.I.M. statewide, amplifying the voices of women who need representation, guidance, or simply a reminder of their worth.

Kaliece is preparing to begin her journey into Dermatology, fueled by her passion for skin health and her desire to support others through confidence and wellness. Her professional and pageant platforms both reflect her long-term vision: to elevate women across Georgia and beyond through education, empowerment, and care. She is still active and driven in the pageantry field and will continue to inspire and impact gracefully.

A Message from Miss Georgia Petite 2026

“In a world that often defines beauty by what is seen, Power in the Mirror reminds us that true beauty radiates from within — from the strength, grace, and compassion we carry. We are not competitors; we are sisters. When one shines, we all shine. My journey taught me that pageantry did not just change my life — it saved it. Now, I want to save someone else’s.”
— Kaliece Henry, Miss Georgia Petite 2026

For potential interviews, request of appearances, or potential sponsorships? Please contact Kaliece Henry below through the directory and fill out form.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/iamkaliece

How I Kickstarted My Journey to the Crown and Beyond

By Amy Phillips

My Miss America journey didn’t begin the day I put on a crown—it began in first grade. My teacher happened to be the Director of Miss Cape May County, and my mom volunteered with the pageant. Most kids went to aftercare… and I went to pageant rehearsals.

I remember watching the “big girls” practice their walks and talent routines, wide-eyed. Sometimes, when someone was absent, they’d ask me to stand in. I was seven years old, in my baby high heels I asked my mom to buy me from Payless, trying to mimic every step they took. To me, they were magical. Confident. Elegant. Everything I dreamed of becoming one day.

But as I got older, I also knew there were parts of competing that intimidated me—especially swimsuit. I admired the confidence those women had, but I didn’t feel ready for that kind of vulnerability. I decided to give the teen program a try when I was old enough, since there was only a fitness component instead of a swimsuit.

I entered and won on my first try at 13 years old. My first title? Miss Cape May County’s Teen. The first step in this journey with my first grade teacher. And I absolutely fell in love with it. 

The sisterhood. The interviews. The service. The growth. The parades. The opportunities. All of it made me realize that one day, I did want to be Miss New Jersey.

And with that dream came a promise to myself: If I ever wanted to compete for Miss, I had to face the thing that scared me the most—swimsuit.

So I committed. I trained. I pushed myself to grow in healthy, empowering ways. And at my very first Miss competition, not only did I win the crown of Miss Cape May County… I won the preliminary swimsuit award.

The part of the competition I once feared became the part that taught me the most. Now, as a coach, I help other young women find confidence in the areas they feel they struggle with—whether that’s interview, body image, or simply believing they are capable.

During my competition years, the Miss America Organization also gave me something priceless: a platform with purpose. Mine was called Career Kickstart, a program focused on preparing students for career readiness—résumés, interviews, professional skills, and goal setting. I visited 80+ classrooms across South Jersey, hosted workshops, tabled at career fairs, spoke at assemblies, and even created a coloring contest for younger students to draw themselves in their future careers. My work grew so much that I was honored by New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy with the Governor’s Volunteer Award for Service to Youth. 

Those experiences shaped me just as much as the crowns did.

So when I aged out, got married, and closed the chapter on competing, I knew Career Kickstart was something I wanted to continue. Helping people grow—especially young women—was part of who I became through the Miss America Organization.

That’s why I created Crowning Kickstart, my pageant coaching business. It combines everything I’ve learned over decades: the little girl who watched rehearsals from the wings, the teen who found her voice, the young woman who faced her fears, and the titleholder who built a platform she believed in.

Coaching lets me give back to the organization that shaped me. It allows me to help others build confidence, step into their purpose, and chase dreams they once thought were too big.

And in many ways, I’m still that first grader in the theater—eyes wide, heart full—believing in the magic of what these programs can do.

If you’re ready to step into your own power, build confidence from the inside out, and prepare for the stage with someone who’s been in your shoes, I’d love to work with you. Whether you’re competing for your first title or chasing your biggest dream, Crowning Kickstart is the place where growth begins.

✨ Join me and start your own journey at: crowningkickstart.wixsite.com/crown

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Amy Phillips is the founder of Crowning Kickstart. You can follow her on her Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Learning About Shirley Xu’s Custom Dresses

Shirley Xu’s Custom Dresses is a high-end dress, wedding dress and clothing manufacturer. 

They can customize to any style, any size and any color! This gives you every opportunity to be the focus of any event you're attending. Check out their socials to see examples of their work in almost every style and color. There's so much to enjoy! 

A few examples are below as well!

Instagram: @xqqshirley 

Facebook: Custom Dress

From Adversity to Advocacy: My Journey in the Miss North Dakota Organization

By Keira Rambousek

When I look back at the girl I was when I first stepped into the Miss North Dakota Organization, I see someone eager for fun and ready to grow — but entirely unaware of just how much this program would shape her. Today, I stand as a young woman whose personal and professional life has been transformed by this organization. I’ve learned how to speak with confidence, walk in heels, build a network, and share my voice. But the greatest gift has been something more profound: the clarity of knowing exactly who I am and what I stand for.

The Beginning — An 11-Year-Old With Big Dreams

I was just eleven when I started competing. Back then, I was having fun, which looked like hanging out with the other girls, soaking in the sisterhood that the Miss America Organization is so well known for, and performing on stage, something I’ve loved for as long as I can remember.

One memory still feels as fresh as the day it happened: the moment after finishing a performance I had practiced for months. The bright stage lights blurred the applauding crowd, and I could hear my mom and sisters whooping with joy. I had a wave of gratitude for being able to do something I loved, surrounded by people who believed in me. That feeling has never left.

Discovering Purpose Through Pain

But my journey wasn’t defined by stages alone. At thirteen, I experienced a loss that many adults have yet to face: the unexpected death of a parent. That grief sent me into a deep depression and marked the beginning of my mental health journey. I felt alone and lost. Eventually, curiosity took over, and I began studying mental health; the more I learned, the more I wanted to fight for hope. Knowledge became my lifeline, and understanding became my first act of healing.

Over time, my pain revealed a purpose. My CSI, Mental Health Matters, grew from those hard years. I became a field advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and, more recently, began my first three-year term as a board member for NAMI North Dakota. My mission became clear: to show others that even our hardest stories can become the reason we serve.

The Power of Service

In the depths of depression, I made a choice: service instead of self. Every volunteer event, every community project, every conversation became a lifeline pulling me up from the trenches.

This purpose is what led me into schools across North Dakota, presenting Ending the Silence, a presentation that shares resources from both AFSP and NAMI. I tell my story not to focus on the pain, but to highlight the hope. My message is simple: It's okay to not be okay, and you are not alone.

The Setback — And the Year That Changed Everything

In 2023, I placed first runner-up for Miss North Dakota’s Teen. It was a huge accomplishment, but also a heartbreak only a runner-up truly understands. You get so close to the crown that you can almost taste it, and when your name isn’t called, it’s easy to spiral from pride into self-doubt. I found myself wondering: What did I do wrong?

That’s when I took a full year off. For the first time since I was eleven, I asked myself who I was without the Miss America crown in my future. If I never competed again, could I still be the person I was trying to become? Did I care about service, mental health, and my community because of a title, or because it was genuinely who I am?

The answer surprised me: yes. Yes, I was still passionate. Yes, I still showed up. Yes, I still grew, volunteered, advocated, and sang, without a sash on my shoulder.

That year changed everything.

The Comeback — Stronger, Steadier, and Completely Myself

The moment I decided to compete again came unexpectedly. I made a last-minute decision to attend Dickinson State University and realized I’d need scholarships. And what better scholarship source than the Miss North Dakota Organization?

But when I returned, something was different. I stood onstage during the crowning with a peace I had never felt before. Crown or not, I knew exactly who I was. I knew I was going to keep singing, volunteering, connecting, and advocating with or without a title.

That congruency — that alignment between who I am onstage and who I am offstage — was a game changer.

The Titleholder I Am Today

Today, I lead with confidence rooted not in perfection but in purpose. My social media presence allows me to share resources and encouragement with people across the country. My volunteer work continues to reinforce the message that my mental health does not define me, and neither does anyone else’s.

Every event, every school visit, every connection proves that service is more powerful than fear and community is more powerful than shame.

Looking Forward — The Vision of Miss North Dakota

When I imagine myself as Miss North Dakota, I feel energized. I see myself traveling the state and country, volunteering at as many events as I can, speaking to young people, and expanding the reach of our program far beyond the pageant world.

My goal is to be a bridge; someone who shows the public that Miss North Dakota is not just a titleholder, but a servant leader. I want to share this message everywhere I go:

Look at me, and look at what I’ve been through.
Wherever you are right now, it gets better. You get stronger.
Whatever tragedy you’re facing is shaping you into someone capable of future storms — and that’s okay.
When we walk together, the world changes.

That is the legacy I hope to leave.

Closing — More Than a Crown

My story is not one of perfection, but of resilience, identity, and heart. I started as an eleven-year-old girl who just wanted to have fun. Today, I’m a young woman who understands the weight and beauty of purpose.

The Miss North Dakota Organization didn’t just give me opportunities; it gave me the toolkit to know who I am. And no matter what lies ahead, I will continue serving, singing, advocating, and standing up for mental health.

Crown or no crown, I know exactly who I am.
And I know exactly where I’m going.

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Keira Rambousek is the current Miss BisMan Power of 100 (ND). You can follow her on her Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Building Confidence Beyond the Crown: How I’m Helping Women Step Into Their Power

By Emily Smith

When I first stepped onto a pageant stage at 13 years old, I had no idea how that moment would shape the rest of my life. What began as a spark of curiosity quickly became a lifelong journey of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to hold titles such as Miss Asia USA-America, Miss Hawaii Collegiate, Miss Asian Global 2nd Princess, and Miss Hawaii Jr. Teen. I’ve also received awards for Best in Interview, Best in Evening Gown, Photogenic, Community Service, the Academic Award, and more.

But beyond the crowns and trophies, what pageantry truly taught me was confidence. This was something that I had been lacking for so long. Confidence to me is the kind that comes from knowing your worth and owning your story.

Today, as the founder of Elevated Pageant Coaching, I’ve made it my mission to help other women find that same confidence within themselves. Because time and time again, I have seen one thing: so many women hold themselves back from pursuing opportunities because they themselves do not believe they are ready. And I’m here to change that narrative.

I know this to be true because I have held myself back from so many experiences because I was scared I wasn’t qualified enough, was fearful of rejection, or would procrastinate as a result of my perfectionism. As a pageant coach, I see many capable, intelligent, and compassionate women fall short of pursuing their dreams because of their own self doubt. 

But through graduating with my master’s degree at 21, starting my business from scratch, and winning multiple titles, I learned that being confident is not about having no fears. Confidence is when you still have fears but chose to be brave enough to face them and show up anyways. 

It’s these lessons that I have learned throughout my life that I bring to every coaching session. Yes, I teach essential pageant skills such as paperwork, walking and posing in heels, and nailing your interview. But my sessions go deeper than that as I am teaching women how to believe in themselves by accomplishing their wildest dreams. My goal for every client who works with me is to leave knowing that she belongs in every room she walks into, crown or no crown.

For background, in 2023, I launched Elevated Pageant Coaching because I wanted to build something that went beyond traditional pageant prep. With my background in Communications (from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude) and a Master’s in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, I bring both academic and industry insight into my coaching.

That means that I don’t just teach people how to “fake it until you make it,” we build confidence and skills from the inside out. Through 1:1 coaching, group sessions, workshops, and digital resources like my Elevated Pageant Prep Workbook and Elevate Your Pageant Stage Presence Course, I help my clients strengthen their communication, leadership, and mindset skills. I believe that these skills are not just for pageants, they are for life. Believe it or not, my greatest joy does not come from clients winning crowns (although that does make me very happy), it comes from my girls telling me that they’ve aced job interviews using my formula I taught them or that they have grown their platform to impact even more communities. To me, knowing that I have made an impact in these women’s lives outside of pageantry is what truly fills my cup.

Overall, through Elevated Pageant Coaching, my ultimate goal is not to just create winners and success stories, but it’s to help women realize that they are capable and worthy of taking up space. Because whether they are stepping on that pageant stage for their first time or walking into a boardroom meeting, one thing remains constant: confidence is key. 

If you would like to bridge your own confidence gap and walk into every room like you own it, feel free to check out my pageant resources or schedule a 1:1 session with me using the link below.

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To learn more about Emily's programs, digital resources, or to book a coaching session, visit elevatedpageantcoaching.com or follow her on Instagram @elevatedpageantcoaching.

Best Kept Stranger by Taylor Higgins

I would say the best way to start this write up is by using the author’s own words.

From the back cover of the book:

Beautiful but fragile Taylor Hartwell has been afraid of disappointing her manipulative mother, Claire, for as long as she can remember. To the outside world, Claire Hartwell is caring and attentive, but beneath her carefully curated exterior lurks an ever-deepening darkness-and Taylor is desperate to escape to the light. Taylor’s need to please Claire and her intense craving to know love leads her into the arms of men who hurt her in every way. Yet Claire, believing Taylor’s mistreatment will ensure her own domination over Taylor’s life, encourages her daughter to stay in these abusive relationships. When Taylor meets a gentle, supportive man, the budding romance pulls her from Claire’s relentless control. But Claire is determined that Taylor will fulfill the role Claire has planned for her since her birth. Taylor’s struggle for independence unravels dangerous family secrets, leading to a series of questionable deaths and a sinister reunion that nobody anticipates.

So, now that you know what it's all about, what did I think when I read it?

I was left speechless. Absolutely blown away.

I was a HUGE fan for her first book Between the Stitching (my review, my affiliate link). So, expectations were high. Probably too high.

This book far exceeded them. Far.

Higgins has an incredible storytelling style. I can't quite put my finger on it, but she has a knack for using just enough detail to get her point across, but not so much that I find myself screaming, "I get it, the room is cluttered!". The words she chooses are always perfect, even as they are jarring. It's amazing.

But, that's just the technical stuff. The story itself is awe inspiring. The tale of generational trauma, breaking the cycle, and being trapped again. It pulled me in deeper with every chapter. Every time I wished Taylor Hartwell would break free. Every time I cringed when she didn't. Every time I felt deflated. Every time I felt elated. When I finished I just sat there reflecting on the emotional roller coaster I had just completed. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. You just have to see for yourself, as soon as you can. 

Rating: 4 bases...because there are only four to give.

Get it using my Bookshop.org affiliate link

Or on Barnes & Noble.

Or, on Amazon, if you have to.