contestants – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

Julia Rowland, 2014 Miss Florida Jr. Teen has words of blessings for this years contestants!

From the moment being crowned as National American Miss Florida Junior Teen, to writing this letter to you in anticipation of crowning my scuessor, I am beyond blessed and grateful for the moments that have made up this memorable year. Throughout my reign I have experienced countless opportunities that I will never forget. With a passion for helping others, I devoted my time to volunteering in my community with Project Outreach, Volunteer Services for Animals, The Salvation Army, and many other organizations. In an effort to lift the spirits of our Active Duty Military, I have organized my own non-profit organization called Harvest for Heroes. I was beyond shocked to receive a letter of appreciation from our troops as well as a plaque including a photo of them with a flag that was flown in my honor over Bagram, Afghanistan. In addition, I was able to emcee the American Girl Doll Fashion show in support of the Palm Beach Literacy Collation. I was able to travel across my great state of Florida during open calls and training sessions in search of our next state finalists.

I would like to thank National American Miss for shaping me into the woman I am today and for the wonderful friendships I have made. My life would have never been the same without the amazing opportunities I have received.

To the contestants: Congratulations and good luck! This is your moment to shine. Believe in yourself and follow your dreams! You are all winners regardless if you take home the crown or not!!

It has been an honor to represent such a wonderful organization. I will forever be a part of the NAMily.

Blessings,
Your 2014
Miss Florida Junior Teen
Julia Rowland

Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen welcomes this years contestants!

Dear amazing contestants:

I have done so much since becoming Miss Georgia Junior Preteen Queen. I volunteered to play the harp at the DeKalb County festival, a back to school news expo and the Ronald McDonald House. It was so much fun meeting several public officials. I served food at Tour de Pink, a race that raises money for breast cancer. It was so much fun volunteering and spending time with elderly. I even let the elderly (including the men) try on my crown.

Being Miss Georgia has meant so much to me. I was proud to represent Georgia and I was so happy that Senator Isakson blogged that meeting me as Miss Georgia made his day. National American Miss has given me so much confidence and many opportunities. I hope it does the same for all of you.

I wish all of you the best of luck while you are competing. I hope you make many new friends, have a lot of fun and enjoy the experience. Always remember that you don’t need a crown on your head to be a queen.

Gabriela Norwood, Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen Queen

Amaris Shipman, 2014 Miss North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen, welcomes this years contestants!

Hello North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Contestants,

Your North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen 2014, has been busy making a difference in her community this year. I’ve donated schools supplies for students of Cumberland County Schools, participated in a walk for ALS, volunteered at a “Kidtopia” event, rang the bell for the Salvation Army, collected “Toys for Tots,” donated books to assist with literacy efforts, and assisted in raising over $35,000 for my local Child Advocacy Center. I’ve also sang the National Anthem during basketball games and a 2015 graduation ceremony, met the Mayor, rode in parades, and made many other appearances this year. I can’t believe it’s all coming to an end shortly…..

Winning the state queen title was one of my personal goals and I will always cherish that moment. Through my efforts I’ve shown that it doesn’t matter how old you are, we can “All” make a positive impact on others if we try. I’ve learned that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

I would like all the contestants to understand that you are your biggest cheerleader and biggest competitor. You have a busy weekend ahead that will be packed with fun! Remember to always stand Tall, bring a big Smile, and let your inner light Shine. You are All STARS!

To the new North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen, your year is almost here! Be bold, be brave, be positive, and most of all be YOU!

Amaris Shipman

North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen 2014

2014 Miss North Carolina Teen has some encouraging words for this years contestants!

Hello future leaders of America! This letter is to inform you of the amazing year that I have experienced with National American Miss. Throughout my reign, I was able to impact many people in positive ways. A few of my endeavors consisted of donating over 300 stuffed animals to Brenners Children’s Hospital, volunteering at Musick’s Dance Arts Center and teaching over 50 girls and boys to dance, and also I was able to encourage young children about how important it is to be physically fit by volunteering at a local preschool in my area. Being the National American Miss North Carolina Teen was not just about the glitz and glamour that I received, it was about impacting so many people’s lives and inspiring young girls that they can be achieve their hopes and dreams. A highlight of my reign was competing in Nationals in Anaheim, California. This experience was so astounding and extremely rewarding. I was able to meet girls from all over the United States and explore the beautiful state of California. I am wishing good luck to all the wonderful and beautiful contestants this weekend! You all are in for such a treat and the experience of your life. Enjoy this time and I can’t wait for the next Teen Queen to experience the joy that I have experienced with National American Miss!

Sincerely,

Eboni Wiley

Miss North Carolina Teen

Charlotte Reece, Miss North Carolina Princess Cover Girl welcomes the 2015 contestants.

Hello! I’m Charlotte Reece, your 2014 Miss Miss North Carolina Princess Cover Girl. The moment the crown was placed upon my head, my journey to help with the fight against cancer started. I organized a team named Charlie’s Crown that raised money for the Relay for Life of Davie County and setup a fundraiser at my school. I also won Top Model in my division and was selected by Toni Busker and Tracy with R. Tracy Photography to attend the MCI event in Nashville, Tennessee. Now I am signed with a model and talent agency. The title Miss North Carolina Princess Cover Girl has opened so many doors for me and I am forever thankful. I want to wish all the contestants in the 2015 National American Miss North Carolina pageant the best of luck and God Bless!

Lexie Spooner, Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen, welcomes this years contestants!

Dear South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen contestants,

I am your 2014 Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen state queen. Since I was crowned queen last summer, I have done so many exciting things to make a difference in my community. I became a volunteer at my local animal shelter and have helped out a lot with the animals. I also organized a supply drive and bake sale. It was so fun and exciting to see how many people cared about the animals. I helped to raise over $350 and a truckload of supplies for the animals. I also have been a part of other fundraisers for the animal shelter.

Being a state queen has meant a lot to me. I now have a responsibility to be a positive role model to other girls. Earning this title has made me more confident with myself and has taught me so many lifelong skills.

If I could offer any advice to other girls in this pageant, it would be this: Always, always stay true to yourself and have confidence in who you are. It can be scary getting up in front of people you don’t know, especially if you are a little country girl from a small town like me! Always hold your head high and wear your invisible crown. I wish the best of luck to you, not only on your pageant weekend, but in everything that you do!

Sincerely Yours,

Lexie Spooner

2014 Miss South Carolina Teen Aundrea Green welcomes this years contestants!

June 19, 2015

Its incredible how fast time flies when you’re having fun. During my reign I was able to promote my platform of volunteering by spending my free time at the food bank, local homeless shelters, parades and participating in the American cancer society relay for life. I had the opportunity to meet so many people from different cultures and age groups around the country.

At the national pageant I got to know a lot of great girls and we had a blast at Disneyland. I am proud to have had the pleasure of upholding the traditional values of national American miss. I learned how to have poise, self-confidence and I received great interview skills. The girls and I bonded over our trip to Space Mountain and our adventures on the Hollywood tour. It was an unbelievable experience.

To my mom and dad I want to thank you for supporting me from the very beginning. You have always been there from pinning me up to making the last minute touches before going on stage. To my director Matt Leverton, thank you for supporting me and my family in this amazing journey that started out in your preteen division. To my NAMILY I am forever grateful that you all are such a great support system. For all the contestants tonight just know that you have come so far on an amazing journey, so tonight when you leave hold your head up high knowing that you’ve accomplished so much this weekend. To my successor, this is just the beginning of a dream come true. Spread your wings and take every opportunity that comes your way. You are a girl with dreams, you are National American Miss. I wish you great success in all of your endeavors.

I am your 2014 Miss South Carolina Teen Aundrea Green.

Brandi Urban, 2014 Oregon Teen Cover Girl has some welcoming words for this years contestants.

Dear National American Miss Oregon Contestants,

I would like to say welcome to an exciting and unforgettable weekend! This weekend will be a time to make friends, rock the stage, show your talents and best of all feel like Cinderella! The first thing you should do is smile and be yourself! If I have learned anything this year as your 2014 Oregon Teen Cover Girl it’s that there is nothing better than being yourself! I am so excited to meet each and every one of you! It has been nothing short of a dream come true to have had the honor of representing the beautiful state of Oregon as your state teen cover girl!

My favorite memories are getting to meet my sister queens for the very first time, volunteering in my community, attending the Washington state pageant and of course going to sunny California for the National pageant. Where I was blessed with the title of National Teen Cover Model and winner of the National Teen Volunteer Service and other amazing awards! I had so much fun making new friends and making memories.

This year I also got to hold a dress drive to benefit Abby’s Closet to help prom dreams come true, donate food and toys to The Ronald McDonald House and to help with the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure! I have learned so much from my year and I will never forget the memories that I have made and life lessons I have learned!

I’d like to say a huge thank you to my family and friends that have supported me since day one! Y’all are the best cheer section anybody could ask for! Thank you to my amazing sister queens, you are all so bright and beautiful and I am so glad I got to spend my year with you! It truly has been a privilege and I love you all! Thank you to Matt, our state director and his amazing staff for being there to encourage me the whole year. But most of all a HUGE thanks to my mom and dad for always making sure I look and feel like a real life Cinderella!

Good luck and have fun! Brandi Urban

2014 National American Miss Teen Cover Girl

Jeanae Ganther,2013 Miss Florida Pre-Teen, gives words of encouragement to this years contestants.

Jeanae Ganther,2013 National American Miss Florida Pre-Teen Queen, gives words of encouragement to this years contestants.

Hey Girls, This past year has been unbelievable! I’ve gained so much confidence because of NAM. I’ve met so many talented girls and made some new friends throughout this journey. I’ve volunteered at “Dare to Care” Kitchen, Horizon Assisted Living, donated school supplies to my former elementary school, participated in March of Dimes and Komen’s Breast Walk.I also had the opportunity to travel to Jacmel, Haiti with Hope for Humanity to do mission work and deliver school supplies and personal hygiene items. At state pageant weekend, be yourself, meet as many girls and have fun! At Nationals, you’ll meet more girls and make more friends. We had theme parties each night! We went to Disneyland, Hollywood, and had a Thanksgiving Banquet with the NAM families. Let’s not forget the shopping, dining, mentoring, beauty sleep, and competitions. Enjoy every moment, take lots of pictures. I thank NAM, for the opportunity of a lifetime, especially my State Director, Matt Leverton. Crowned of not, this is a learning experience. Remember, you always take something back with you; it’s up to you to make it positive. To my successor, do not consider winning as the end, but the beginning of bigger and better things.

Good Luck!

Jeanae Ganthier
2013 Miss South Florida Pre-Teen

A warm and welcome word from your 2013 Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Alexandria Murphy!

I was truly blessed to be crowned the 2013 Miss North Carolina Jr.Teen! This year is one I will never forget. I was fortunate to have been visiting royalty at some of the state pageants, spending time with my sister queens at open calls and workshop sessions throughout North Carolina.

My volunteer opportunities consisted of the American Heart Association, Night the Light Cancer walk, the Little Elf Workshop, Dress for Success, the Ronald McDonald House, Learning Together, Halloween 5K Hustle, The Girls Rising event, and much more! These opportunities also afforded me the chance to meet the mayor of Raleigh, Mrs. Nancy McFarlane and the Governor of North Carolina, Mr. Pat McCrory.

Nationals was a blast! I met friends from all over the Unites States. The day at Disney, Hollywood, Universal Studios and window shopping on Rodeo drive are wonderful memories. I was fortunate to have placed in some optionals. Placing top 10 in the Nation was the icing on the cake and a wonderful blessing from God!

To all the girls competing: Good luck, be yourself, and have fun because the weekend will go by fast! You will have an amazing time and make friends for a lifetime! Make sure to never give up no matter what! This was my fourth try for the North Carolina state title! Just remember the words of Walt Disney: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it!” I am so excited to meet you and spend a great weekend together!

Alexandria Murphy Miss North Carolina Jr.Teen