Memories From the Miss America's Teen Competition

By Camryn Patton

[On Instagram, I asked what questions people would ask a Miss America's Teen candidate. Several wonderful questions were submitted. Camryn Patton, Miss Connecticut's Teen 2024, was kind enough to take a crack at answering them for us. This is her first guest blog for us. -S36F]

What was it like backstage during the competition?
Backstage during the competition was incredibly supportive. All 50 of us girls genuinely wanted the best for each other. It wasn’t about competing against one another, it was about lifting each other up. When one of us made it into the top 11, it felt like we all did. From our Chick-Fil-A lunches, to singing the Star-Spangled Banner on Instagram live when we were supposed to be getting ready, we had the most fun together! I’ll never forget the prayer we shared together before finals night. We stood hand in hand, thanking the Lord for the deep connection we had all made that week, and emphasizing that no matter what happened that night, it was God’s plan for each of us. Even before opening number, we were all sobbing, truly saddened that it was our last night together. It was such a powerful moment that showed how much we truly cared for each other.

When did it first "hit" you that you were competing at Miss America's Teen?
It first hit me that I was competing at Miss America’s Teen when I was standing in my opening number position on the first night of prelims. As soon as I heard my friends and family cheering for me, my eyes immediately filled up with tears. Right before Pitbull’s “Celebrate” started, I realized, this was it. The dream I’d been working toward for 14 years was finally coming true, and it was truly an emotional, overwhelming moment I will never forget.

What was your favorite part of the whole experience?
My favorite part of the entire Miss America's Teen experience has to be the girls. It may sound a bit cliché, but it’s so true. I was fortunate to have such an incredible class of girls who truly embody every pillar of the Miss America opportunity. I wouldn't have had such a positive experience without them. Miss America's Teen week is so unique, there's no other place where you can gain 50 new best friends from all across the country. A special shoutout to my best friend, Averie Mountain, Miss Kansas Teen, never would I have imagined that my best friend would be three years younger than me, but that’s just one example of how this organization fosters such rare and beautiful friendships! 

What kept you grounded during the week?
What kept me grounded during Miss America's Teen week was not only knowing I had an incredible support system behind me, always cheering me on, but also the advice I got from the Forever Miss Connecticut’s Teens. They really encouraged me to not take the experience for granted and to remember that it’s about so much more than just the competition while also reminding me to focus on having a positive experience, no matter what. I also kept reminding myself that this was a dream I’d been chasing since I was three years old. In every phase of competition, I thought about little me, imagining how proud she would be just to see me walk on that stage. 

What were some of your favorite activities with the other candidates?

Some of my favorite activities with the other candidates were definitely watching the Miss America prelims and finals with my state sisters. It was so much fun supporting our Misses while also getting to experience the other side of the competition. Even celebrating each other’s Misses successes was truly special. I’ll never forget jumping up and down in the middle of the ballroom with Miss Alabama’s Teen, Ali Mims, after her Miss, Abbie Stockard, won Miss America. The excitement and joy I felt for Ali in that moment was unforgettable!

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Camryn Patton is the current Miss Connecticut's Teen. You can find her on her title's Instagram. 

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.