Becoming Ms. New Jersey Petite 2026: Inspiring Others Through Purpose and Representation

By Marsellina Purnawan

Winning the title of Ms. New Jersey Petite 2026 is more than a personal achievement; it represents an opportunity to inspire, uplift, and empower others. For me, this journey symbolizes perseverance, confidence, and the courage to embrace who we truly are. Pageantry is often misunderstood as being focused only on physical appearance. In reality, modern pageantry is about leadership, advocacy, community involvement, and using one’s voice to make a meaningful difference. It provides a unique platform to connect with others and encourage positive change while representing values such as confidence, resilience, and service.

My journey toward becoming Ms. New Jersey Petite 2026 is rooted in the belief that representation truly matters. Many women, especially those who are petite, may feel overlooked or may believe that they do not fit the traditional mold of beauty or leadership often portrayed in society. However, leadership and influence are not defined by height, appearance, or stereotypes. Through this title, I hope to demonstrate that strength, intelligence, compassion, and determination come in all shapes and sizes. By embracing my individuality and celebrating my unique qualities, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own identities with pride and confidence.

This title also allows me to amplify causes that are deeply meaningful to me. I am passionate about mental health advocacy and promoting confidence and self-worth among people of all ages and backgrounds. In today’s world, many individuals struggle with self-doubt, anxiety, and the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations. By speaking openly about these challenges, I hope to create conversations that reduce stigma and encourage people to prioritize their mental well-being. Whether I am attending community events, speaking with young people, or sharing my experiences with others, my goal is to remind individuals that their voices matter and that their dreams are achievable.

Another important aspect of this journey is resilience. Preparing for a pageant requires discipline, dedication, and a willingness to grow both personally and professionally. There are moments of doubt and challenges along the way, but these experiences help build strength and character. Every step of the process, from preparation and training to public speaking and community engagement, provides an opportunity to learn, improve, and become more confident. By sharing both the successes and the struggles of my journey, I hope to demonstrate that growth often comes from stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and embracing new opportunities.

Becoming Ms. New Jersey Petite 2026 is not simply about wearing a crown; it is about wearing responsibility. Holding this title means representing my community with integrity, compassion, and authenticity. It means using my platform to encourage others, support meaningful causes, and serve as a positive role model. If my journey inspires even one person to believe in themselves more deeply, pursue their goals more boldly, or recognize their own worth, then this experience will have served a greater purpose.

Ultimately, my goal is to remind others that true beauty lies in confidence, kindness, and authenticity. Each person has unique strengths and talents that deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Through this platform, I hope to encourage people to step forward, embrace who they are, and realize that they do not need to change themselves to make an impact. With courage, determination, and self-belief, anyone can shine and create positive change in their community and beyond.

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Marsellina Purnawan is the current Ms. New Jersey Petite 2026. You can follow her on Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

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

My Story

By Hannah Alexander

Despair. Despair was what my brother experienced twenty-three years ago, when I at two years old watched my brother walk away from a puppet show crying, and asking why he was not allowed to be there. The staff of the event told my parents that he was not allowed to attend children’s activities at a family camp that we had signed up to be a part of because he was “being too distracting,” by pacing and having a hard time sitting in one place. Unfortunately, this was only one instance of many that we experienced as a family. We belonged to numerous play groups in the El Dorado County area, to which all the parents loved my brother before he received his diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum, which was not widely understood at the time. Because of the ignorance of what autism spectrum disorder is, these parents believed that autism would “rub off” on their children. Children who loved to play with my brother were told “do not play with that boy. There is something wrong with him.” 

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a developmental condition that affects how a person experiences the world, interacts with others, and communicates. It is called a "spectrum" because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and abilities, varying from person to person. People with ASD may have may have unique strengths, like exceptional focus or talent in specific areas. My brother is now a radio technician for the state of California and creates, builds, and repairs radios for first responders that are needed immediately all over the state. This means, that our first responders would not be able to respond or communicate during emergencies without the radios that he works on. What if the Los Angeles fires were unable to be managed without proper, immediate, communication between first responders? What if paramedics could not communicate with dispatch or hospitals to give people in need of emergency services care? Can you imagine how that would affect the nation, and even the world?

As an aspiring special education teacher, my goal is to inspire and empower the education system and other teachers to nurture the abilities of every student, no matter how their abilities appear. As educators, we have the responsibility to either enable or crush the next generation’s future. While I accomplished winning two pageant titles and numerous awards for various things throughout my life, I consider teaching a nonverbal student to communicate in full spoken sentences my life’s greatest accomplishment. If I accomplish nothing else in life, I hope to be able to give more students the gift of words, because that is what I consider success. I am currently your Miss West Coast Petite USA, which is a pageant that empowers petite women 5’6 and under to achieve a national USA title just like our taller counterparts. Our system transforms women into confident competitors and national level pageants queens through sisterhood and women’s empowerment. Becoming your Miss West Coast Petite USA has given me the platform to advocate for disability training throughout the education field as well as for lawmakers to continue to fund special education programs and resources. My platform operates by the belief that you can accomplish anything you want, if you believe that you can. And winning the national title of Miss Petite USA would mean that I would expand my outreach to a global level, (with a little West Coast flair!). 

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Photo by Natalie Vell

Hannah Alexander is the current Miss West Coast Petite USA. You can follow her on Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.