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

Rebecca Markert, Miss Florida Junior Teen, Participates in 6th Annual Jeff Annas Memorial Firefighters 5K‏.

Rebecca Markert, Miss Florida Junior Teen Queen, Participates in 6th Annual Jeff Annas Memorial Firefighters 5K‏.

Miss Florida Junior Teen, Rebecca Markert attended and volunteered at the 6th Annual Jeff Annas Memorial Firefighters 5K Race on behalf of her charity of choice, Little Smiles. Rebecca spent time with the children of competitors during the main race; officially started the kids’ race; high-fived and celebrated with finishers following the kids’ race; and finished off the morning by handing out awards to all of the winners. Over 1200 runners were in attendance at the event; and $6,000 was raised and donated to Little Smiles.

One of Rebecca’s more important responsibilities as Miss Florida Junior Teen Queen is her involvement with the Florida-based Little Smiles charity, a local organization dedicated to children, which she chose as her campaign platform. Little Smiles is a non-profit volunteer organizations based in Florida that provides toys, movies, computers, celebrity meet-and-greets, concert and sporting event tickets, theme park trips, junk food runs, and much more to children in local hospitals, hospices and shelters throughout Florida. Through the charity, Rebecca has already had the opportunity to spend time at the Miami Children’s Hospital with some of the young patients, Virginia from the KVJ radio show, deliver pizza to the nurses, and shoot Nerf guns with the kids!

Learn more about the organization at www.LittleSmiles.org.

Learn more at: http://www.jeffannas5k.com/

Miss Kentucky Junior Teen Savanah Stevens helps collect food for Harvesting Hope Food Pantry.

National American Miss Kentucky Junior Teen Queen Savanah Stevens presenting a certificate of award to her local rivalry high school, superintendent Carmen Coleman, of Danville High School.

Miss Kentucky Junior Teen Savanah Stevens presenting a certificate of award to her local rivalry high school, superintendent Carmen Coleman, of Danville High School. She was also joined by her high school superintendent, Mike LaFavers. This certificate was given to the school that turned in the most canned goods at the cross town rival football game between Boyle County & Danville High Schools in Kentucky. All food was donated to the local Harvesting Hope Food Pantry. The food pantry is the organization that Savanah has chosen to help as her platform for community service. There was a total of 1703 items turned in the night of 9/6/13. Congratulations to the winning school.

Miss Georgia Junior Teen, Olivia Landrum from Augusta, GA, donated school supplies collected during the Georgia National American Miss pageant.

National American Miss Georgia Junior Teen Queen, Olivia Landrum from Augusta, GA, donated school supplies collected during the Georgia National American Miss pageant.

Miss Georgia Junior Teen, Olivia Landrum from Augusta, GA, donated school supplies collected during the Georgia National American Miss pageant. She donated the books and school supplies to Grovetown Elementary School.

Macy Moyer, 2013 Miss Tennessee Junior Teen, volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club.

Macy Moyer, 2013 National American Miss Tennessee Junior Teen Queen, volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club.

Macy Moyer, 2013 Miss Tennessee Junior Teen, has always enjoyed her time at the Boys and Girls Club as a volunteer. She knew as soon as she won the title of your 2013 National American Miss Tennessee Junior Teen, she would be making a special trip there with all of the books and school supplies she was given. Macy instantly made an appointment to go to the Boys and Girls club, knowing the kids would love it all!
As soon as Macy walked in the door with all of the books and supplies, every child’s face completely lit up. Macy said it was the most amazing feeling. She talked with every child and helped them each pick out a few books, and four items of supplies each. Macy has always enjoyed going to the Boys and Girls club and it has always been fun, but being able to volunteer there, while representing National American Miss, made the experience absolutely perfect.

Rebecca Markert, Miss Florida Junior Teen, volunteered with Little Smiles.

Rebecca Markert, National American Miss Florida Junior Teen Queen, volunteered with Little Smiles.

Rebecca Markert, Miss Florida Junior Teen, volunteered with Little Smiles. Rebecca visited Miami Children’s Hospital with Virginia from the KVJ Radio Show 97.3. Not only did she bring pizza to the nurses, she also had a blast having a nerf gun fight with some of the children. During her visit Rebecca also met a young boy who has had three open heart surgeries and is only four years old. Being at Miami Children’s Hospital reminded her of how lucky she is to be in good health. Rebecca looks forward to more community service projects like this with her title of National American Miss Florida Junior Teen Queen.

Get to know your South Florida Jr. Teen Rebecca Markert!

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity and excited to represent the sunshine state as Miss Florida Junior Teen!”

– Rebecca Markert, Miss Florida Junior Teen

Rebecca Markert is the 2013 Miss Florida Junior Teen Queen. Rebecca is 16 years old and lives with her family in Delray Beach, Florida. She is a junior at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is an honors student; National Honors Society member; member of the school’s cheerleading squad; an actor in the fall and spring theater production; and a member of the school’s Thespians and Cappies “Critics and Awards Program” clubs. Rebecca is a New England Academy of Dance and Boca Ballet Theatre trained dancer with more than 12 years of experience. She also spent two years at the prestigious Stagedoor Manor summer camp in the Catskills.
Rebecca was named Queen of the 2013 State of Florida (South) Miss Florida Junior Teen during the July 20-21 event held in Miami. With her win, Rebecca receives a complimentary trip to the National American Miss competition in Hollywood, California this November. There she will compete against hundreds of girls from around the country for the title of National American Miss Junior Teen Queen.

Despite being new to the pageant arena, Rebecca impressed the judges with her personality, casual wear, spirit, and acting skills – winning awards in all of the aforementioned categories. Rebecca’s talent during the competition included playing the ukulele and singing. While singing came natural for the high school junior, who has performed in numerous plays and theater productions, playing the Hawaii-born ukulele was a different story. Always up for a challenge, Rebecca taught herself to play the small string instrument only months before the Miss Florida Junior Teen pageant and performed it with gusto!

Rebecca will focus on the Little Smiles charity as her Miss Florida Junior Teen campaign platform. Little Smiles is a non-profit volunteer organizations based in Florida that provides toys, movies, computers, celebrity meet-and-greets, concert and sporting event tickets, theme park trips, junk food runs, and much more to children in local hospitals, hospices and shelters throughout Florida. Through the charity, Rebecca has already had the opportunity to spend time at the Miami Children’s Hospital with some of the young patients, deliver pizza to the nurses and shoot Nerf® guns with the kids! Learn more about the organization at www.LittleSmiles.org.
New to pageants, Rebecca is thrilled to have been part of the entire Miss Florida Junior Teen experience and ecstatic that she won! She is hoping her title will allow her to bring awareness to the Little Smiles organization and help open new doors within the entertainment industry. Her aspiration is to one day be an actor in TV and film. Learn more about Rebecca Markert at RebeccaMarkert.com.

Lilyan Duckett National American Miss 2012 Junior Pre-Teen Oregon farewell.

Lilyan Duckett National American Miss 2012 Junior Pre-Teen Oregon Queen farewell.

National American Miss has inspired me more than words can say! I have been a contestant in the NAM program for 4 years before receiving my title. Which goes to show, hard work and determination does pay off! There are so many people I want to thank for this opportunity. To all my friends, family, and sponsors, to Matt and my NAM-ily, to Sydnee for being my pageant secret sister and to Hailey for believing in me, I couldn’t have done it without you. I have had many wonderful adventures, met many wonderful people, and visited Disneyland!

To the parents here tonight, continue supporting your daughters. To all the amazing girls who are contestants today, I want you to know you are unique, beautiful, and you can do anything you put your mind to, you can achieve anything so Dream big! Once again I am your 2012 Miss Oregon Junior Pre -Teen Lilyan Duckett

2011 Miss Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Ciara Wilson Farewell

2011 National American Miss Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Ciara Wilson Farewell

Ciara Wilson

2011 Miss Oregon Junior Pre-Teen

“Wow!” Those were the first words that managed to slip out of my mouth when I won the National American Miss 2011 title of Miss Oregon Junior Pre-Teen. Although the competition was over I knew this was only the beginning of the journey that lied ahead of me!

The summer after the pageant was filled with activities and appearances that helped me to get to know my Sister Queens and Cover Girls better. They are amazing! We participated in many events and parades. It was an awesome way to see the beautiful city of Portland and learn about our great state of Oregon. I also loved meeting all the friendly people in the Pacific Northwest!

As Miss Oregon, I realized that I could use this crown to do something good. My Sister Queens and I cooked dinner for the patients and families at The Ronald McDonald House. We donated stuffed animals and toys to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. I have bagged potatoes and pears for the Oregon Food Bank. Also, I collected clothing, toys and books for the Northwest Children’s Outreach. I even organized my own fundraiser party to help find a cure for Juvenile Arthritis. Thank you so much to my awesome friends Daniella, Alissa, Sophia and the fabulous girls on the Elite Dance Team for making my fundraising party a success!

One of the highlights of my year was the NAM National Pageant. In order to prepare for my competition, my special friends put together a “Ciara and Friends Show”. The support of family and friends was so overwhelming! Thank you Auntie Monica, Auntie Malia, Marisa, Sarina and Ryan for helping me through this journey!

Nationals was amazing! I made so many new friends, toured Hollywood and enjoyed Disneyland. I won the National Essay Contest and came in First Runner Up in the National Spokesmodel Competition with my speech about Juvenile Arthritis. The most exciting moment is when I earned the First Runner up spot for the entire National American Miss Junior Pre-Teen Pageant. I was so proud to represent Oregon!

Thank you so much to my Grandparents, Uncle David, Auntie Jennine, Elise and Nathaniel for cheering me on in California!

Another adventure to remember is the NAM Royalty Reunion at the 2012 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. I was inspired by meeting past Miss Americas including Katie Harmon from Oregon and actress Lee Meriwether. I had the most fun exploring Las Vegas with Peyton Newman, my good friend and the current NAM National Junior Pre-Teen Queen. I will always treasure our friendship!

I want to give a special thanks to Mrs. Takla for her words of encouragement, Mrs. Vick for all the bling on my clothes and Aunt Laura and Bryan for all that you have done for me.

On the Wilson side, I want to thank my Grandparents- especially for riding in their “Orange Pumpkin” car during the Beaverton Parade! Aunt Julie, I had so much fun with you in Las Vegas. Thanks for all your wisdom!

I also appreciate my “Namily.” Mr. Leverton, Mandy and Lacey thanks for your support and guidance during this adventure! My sister Queens: Kyenna, Ariel and Madison- you will always be my role models! To Madeline, Kyra, Isabella and Deja- thank you for all the fun memories! I look forward to making more with all of you in the future.

Most of all, I would like to thank God, my awesome Dad, my very cool and handsome brother and to my mom who is my biggest inspiration because she always tells me to reach for the stars! My family is the biggest supporter of my dreams. I love you!

My name is Ciara Wilson and I will always treasure my amazing year as the National American Miss 2011 Miss Oregon Junior Pre-Teen!

Sophia Takla Miss Oregon Jr.Pre-Teen was recently chosen as a Junior Blazer Dancer

Sophia Takla Miss Oregon Jr.Pre-Teen was recently chosen as a Junior Blazer Dancer for the Portland Trail Blazer’s Professional Basketball team. After a grueling 7 hour tryout she was selected to fill one of only a few open spots! Many girls ages eight to eleven try out for the honor of being a team member and dancing at home games for the Blazers. Junior Blazer Dancers are always a crowd favorite. Sophia loves warm ups because when she’s warming up so are the Blazer players and their opponents, like the LA Lakers! After the games she loves to hear that she was featured on the HUGE Jumbo-Tron at the Rose Garden Arena! Sophia dances six days a week on top of a three hour JBD practice every Sunday evening! Sophia was part of an article featuring the Junior Blazer Dancers on OregonLive.com!

2009 Jr. Pre-Teen NAM Cover Girl Catherine Dixon Farewell

Dear Contestants,

Congratulations and welcome to the 2010 North and South Carolina State Pageant! My experience with National American Miss has been phenomenal!

The National American Miss family has been so nice to me. Thanks for letting me have this opportunity! I would like to send a big shout-out to my family for all their love and support! Thanks you guys! And most of all, I thank God for letting me have this opportunity of a lifetime!

Every part of the pageant was rewarding, but my favorite parts were the personal introduction and interviewing with the judges. Getting on stage and telling them how my first grade teacher called me her Renaissance Girl because she knew I liked “doing it all” was very exciting! I felt privileged to be on the stage as your 2009 Cover Girl! My advertising sponsors were truly impressed with the motto and purpose of National American Miss and I am so pleased to be a part of this family oriented organization!

Nationals was so fun! It was an honor to be crowned as National Cover Model in Anaheim, CA! There were so many exciting events! At rehearsals, we “pumped up the party” with fun attire such as pajamas, crazy hair and patriotic clothing! I even got to meet and take a picture with Ms. Kathleen Mayes and Ms. Dawn Lee Costa. We went to Hollywood and even went on a tour, but the part I liked best was meeting girls from across the country! I was amazed by how much we had in common. These are all memories that I will keep close to me forever!

I am positive you will have an extraordinary experience with National American Miss! I enjoyed raising money for Boys Farm, a Christian home for boys and Berkeley Citizens in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, that supports children with special needs. It was very rewarding to help people. Just remember: In South Carolina, there are smiling faces and beautiful places, but no matter where you are, you should always let your inner beauty shine through! Good luck and I hope you enjoy your wild journey with National American Miss as much as I have!

Your 2009 Jr. Pre-Teen Cover Girl

Catherine Dixon