State Pageants

By Hannah Karki

Slay Your Moment Photography

Hi guys! Welcome back to another blog post! As you know, I went to Florida Petite, New England Petite, and Texas Petite all throughout this year. Today, I wanted to share the significance of going to every single pageant and what I have brought back with me from each pageant.

I went to Texas Petite first, with all 5 of the national titleholders being in Sunny TX. It was truly an amazing experience being a part of the judging process of a pageant, and I loved being able to give the girls advice before competing, and also listen to their stories and how they wanted to use the title. As I said numerous times and will say until I die, pageants are about the journey. We want to hear these women's stories and how they have changed their lives, but we also want to hear what they will do as the next titleholder. Hearing so many empowering and moving stories made me appreciate the system I am a part of and the ladies I represent.  

I also loved being able to bond with my sister queens. I felt an immediate bond with all four of my sister queens when we got crowned, and it felt like family. I feel like I was so nervous when I was crowned because I didn’t know who my sister queens were going to be, but the minute I was sent out on stage after I won to meet two of my sister queens, I knew for sure we would be linked forever. Having the opportunity to have 4 big sisters has opened my eyes to understanding what it feels like to be alive. The amount of unconditional love I feel everyday from those 4 ladies has helped me gain more self confidence, and also has given me more of a purpose. 

K Garcia Prod

Going to New England was heartbreaking for me, since it was the pageant that truly changed my life. Knowing my year was up was so hard for me to come to terms with, since this has truly been the best year of my life. My NEP family will always be my family. Just being in the atmosphere of my sister queens and my directors made me feel at home, and I wasn’t ready to leave as a former. Lucky for me, I had a second crown, but somehow I cried the most. Don’t ask me how. I think the most amazing part of my experience at New England Petite was being able to help all the girls competing and having those one on one person relationships where you truly get to find out about each of the beautiful women competing. I loved being able to speak with them and help them get ready for the pageant. I can’t wait for the New England Petite 2026 pageant, where a familiar face will be emceeing the pageant this year. 

And Florida. I think this was the pageant that made me realize one, I had nothing ready for internationals, and two, that our journey as USA titleholders was coming to a close so soon. Watching the girls give up their titles had me gasping for air on the floor, but also reminded me how in 3 short months, I would be doing the same thing. It was an amazing experience to see my sister queens again, but also see all my amazing friends that I made through Petite USA at the Florida Petite pageant, strengthening my bond with them. 

Being able to travel has truly rounded out my year, establishing that as a USA titleholder, the USA is your stomping ground. I wanted to ensure every contestant knew that I was willing to go the extra mile to make them feel supported and seen. But, there was also a little voice inside of me that pushed me to go, because I knew how fast a year would go by. I can’t believe my reign is almost up, and as I look back on it, I want to say thank you to every single person I have met for sharing who they are with me and letting me listen and discover more of who they are.

We do it to represent, and I am honored to say that I represent this system and I can’t wait to see where this journey will lead me with the last few months I have left. It has truly been a dream.

Stay tuned for another guest blog!

Go tell someone you love them today, remember to always spread joy!

I love you,

Han

--------------------------------------

K Garcia Prod

Hannah Karki is the current Miss Teen Petite USA and Former Teen New England Petite 2024 . You can follow her on her title's Instagram and website. 

Hannah has been kind enough to write several submissions for us. Follow the link for her other Section 36 Forevers Guest Blogs.

The Power Of Persevering

By Lexy Rayhill

K. Garcia Prod

When we’re young girls, we all have a desire to become a queen in some way. In most instances, young girls want to play dress up or get their nails done - for me, it was something that lied much deeper. I didn’t know it then, but I would become surrounded by thousands of likeminded queens later in my life. 

My journey through pageantry has led me into directions I would’ve never expected. Funny enough, I have admired pageants since I was 7 years old. I was so hooked, that I dressed as an “Ultimate Grand Supreme” for Halloween in 2011. Though I wouldn’t begin competing until shortly after I turned 18, pageantry has remained at the forefront of my mind for over a decade. 

As middle school and high school came around, I felt like I was having a harder time making genuine friends and my mindset shifted in a more negative way. Once senior year came around, I was ready to leave the self doubt behind me. Pageantry became my focus, and slowly I stopped thinking about myself. 

New England Petite became more than just a pageant and a title to work towards. After my first competition in 2022, I realized I needed to find a system that aligned with me. I did plenty of research before finding out there was a pageant that was truly designed for me - New England Petite. Created for hardworking women 5’6 and under, this pageant organization has brought me opportunities I never could’ve imagined. 

My first year at the pageant was definitely a little nerve

Chris Dupre

wracking, but I was able to put my fears aside and bond with my new sisters. I managed to place top 5 and leave as 4th runner up that year!  After I made top 5, I knew I needed to make a return. I got another pageant under my belt 6 months later and before leaving the venue that day, I was already applying for the next New England Petite Pageant that was set to happen in a few months. My biggest dream was to compete at Petite USA. I attended our workshop, started becoming more active in my volunteer work, and left with 2nd runner up my second year. I took my preparation very seriously, but I still hadn’t achieved my true goal. I had to wait another year for just a chance at my dream job. 

When you persevere, you’re showing yourself you can. My placement my second year only made me want to come back stronger. I worked with numerous new coaches, photographers, and even participated in a national pageant which only helped my preparation! I began taking better care of myself and my mind, told myself to focus, and eventually put in my final application. 

The difference between winning and placing for me was simple, but also one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in a long time. We all hear “be yourself” in the interview room, but I finally listened. In my private interview, I even responded by saying the first thing I’d do if I won was go get fries before getting to work with my title! All of my answers flowed and I left that room feeling like I had finally showed a judges panel who I am. 

Chris Dupre

My stage presence also improved dramatically and each performance felt like my best that day. Once crowning came, so did the nerves. They announced our runner ups and once we got to the top 2, my name was not called as 1st runner up. I was finally announced Miss New England Petite! Since January 20th, I’ve worked with sponsors and photographers, volunteered with nonprofits, mentored young women, appeared in front of over 1 million people, walked in a fashion show, helped plan community events, and so much more. 

My days have gotten much brighter since I’ve been crowned. They say it’s what a queen does with her crown that’s important, but I can’t help but recognize the ways the crown is healing me. If I hadn’t filled out that first application, my life would look a lot different. You have the power to make your life what you want it to be, and that’s the power of persevering. 

-------------------------------

K. Garcia Prod

Lexy Rayhill is the current Miss New England Petite. You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.