Crowns Magazine September 2021

CROWNS MAGAZINE MISS SEPTEMBER

ANYAANNONE JR M I SS OF THE SOUTHERN STA TES SEE-PA GE-28

Abiding Light Photography

CROWNS MAGAZINE A TOP PAGEANTRY AND FASHION M ONTHLY PUBLICATION SINCE FEBRUARY 2018

INSIDE September 2021 M ISS AUGUST P-2 - P-28 IN THE SPOTLIGHT P-8 ON THE COVER P-10 SEPTEM BER TOP M ODEL P-12 SENIOR WORLD PAGEANT P-22 BEYOND THE BEAUTY P-24

AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL AND PRINT WWW.CROWNSM AGAZINE.COM

https://abidinglight.smugmug.com/

M odel Cam ille Bu ss

INTHESPOTLIGHT

Or iel Ross M cKin n ey Award-winning business strategist, speaker, and author, Oriel Ross McKinney is also known as The Small Biz Engine®.

Her experience includes a successful 20-year corporate tenure in finance, client relations & development, non-profit management, and entrepreneurship.

Oriel along with her husband and business partner, Brian, owns McKinney Brands. She is the visionary founder of O. Ross ? The Small Biz Engine® , a small business consultancy where she has niched herself as a progressive leader and helped launch many companies as well as transform varied businesses in all stages.

Oriel?s personal platform is built on creating small changes in the world, while her business platform is creating unique profit-driven business strategies. She regularly shares her business and professional opinions as a Sr. Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine. She is most popularly known for consulting businesses, and speaking on topics like, mastering dynamic conversations, leadership and management, and creating a distinguished business.

Her passions further extend to the community where she works to empower and support entrepreneurs. Oriel has held leadership positions with community organizations such as the Urban League, the YMCA, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Currently, she serves as a cohort member of Athena NextGen Orlando and a board member of the Orlando Health Patient and Family Advisory Council. Her most recent accomplishment is as the international titleholder for the Majestic International Pageant (Ms.) 2021-2022.Furthermore, Oriel through local foundations and her businesses raises money and awareness for premature babies, as she has two of her own.

Please find her atwww.orielross.comand on social media.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/msmajesticinternational/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/msmajesticinternational LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com

The Canovas Photography & Emerson McClain

/company/o-ross-the-small-biz-engine/ Twitter:https://www.twitter.com/smallbizengine Email: info@orielross.com

M iss Con t in en t al M odel

is a platform which is dedicated to showing the world that a young lady can be both a great role model for her community as well as a fierce model on the runway.

One of the biggest prizes offered to our winners is the opportunity to walk the New York Fashion Week and Milan Italy Fashion Week.

Here are our current queens walking for AL + LU Apparel at HiTech Moda this Sept. 2021 - Miss Continental Model: Suzette Gomez - Miss Teen Continental Model: Chanel Flores - Ms. Continental Model: Monze Gonzalez-Lerma - Jr. Miss Continental Model: Jayda Perez - Miss Pre-Teen Continental Model: Ava Huynh - Little Miss Continental Model: Andi Trevino

MCM http://www.misscontinentalmodel.com Vanessa Sarabia Photography

ONTHEC OVER

SEPTEMBER TOPMODEL

ZOEMARTINEZ Dress MM Milano Photos by Louie Amaya

SEPTEMBERTOPMODEL ZOEMARTINEZ

Zoe M ar t in ez is a 9-year-old

fashion model from McAllen, Texas who attends Idea Quest Academy. She loves swimming, modeling, playing piano, and singing. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family and absolutely loves wearing pajamas around the house when possible.

Zoe has modeled for several designers in Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW), New York Fashion Week (NYFW), and recently Home of Fashion Week Texas with MM Milano The Brand.

At a young age, Zoe has already earned the following titles: Miss Rio Grande Valley Princess 2018, Tiny Miss Hidalgo County 2019, Little Miss Continental Model 2019, Little Miss Top Model USA 2020, and Little Miss Regency International 2021.

Zoe also has her own nonprofit foundation Zoe?s Ministry which is dedicated to supporting missionaries and missions around the world.

Fun Fact: Because Zoe was born a preemie at 28 weeks, she was so small that her parents, Abel and Cynthia Martinez, dressed her in Build-A-Bear clothes.

Photos by Vanessa Sarabia

.

Th e Hon or able Bet h an ie M ick les, Esq 2020 Am er ica?s Fit M s Attorney Bethanie Mickles presently resides in Lynchburg, VA, where she serves as Magistrate of the 24th Judicial District of Virginia. She is a 2005 summa cum laude graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC, where she received her Juris Doctorate and Master of Library Science degrees respectively. Bethanie also holds a Bachelor ?s of Science degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Bethanie has been dancing since age 5 and has studied numerous forms of dance from ballet, tap and jazz to Polynesian, Middle Eastern, and Indian classical and folk-dance styles. Since 2006, she has served as Artistic Director of World of Dance Performing Arts Company based in Raleigh, NC which specializes in international dance styles. She has also served as Creative Director of the Dance Divas praise dance team since 2014. Bethanie has had the honor of performing locally, nationally, and internationally for many years with her dance company. In addition to dancing, Bethanie enjoys community service, singing, shopping, sewing, jewelry design, playing the violin and piano, and traveling around the world.

Bethanie is a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, the Junior League of Lynchburg, the Lynchburg (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Top Ladies of Distinction Inc of Central Virginia, Iota Phi Lambda Business Sorority, Continental Societies, Inc, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She also is a lifelong member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Lynchburg. She serves on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Central Virginia, the League of Women Voters ? Lynchburg, the Virginia Magistrate Association, and Vector Space.

Bethanie is a national and international beauty pageant winner and currently holds the pageant titles of 2020 America?s Fit Ms ? national physical fitness beauty competition and 2020 Ms. Virginia African American United.

She has been featured in numerous fashion and beauty pageant magazines and has modeled at New York Fashion Week and Central Virginia Fashion Week.

Baron LaParre Photography

CHRISTINAROBERTS

Ch r ist in a Rober t s

is the current Miss Rhode Island North America 2021 and the former Mrs. Rhode Island International 2016.

She is a doctorate student at Liberty University, studying Strategic Leadership.

Previously, she earned her bachelor ?s degree from the University of Rhode Island, went on to earn an MBA in Project Management from Ashford University, and most recently completed a certificate program for Women in Leadership through Cornell University.

Christina works as an IT project analyst and has also served as the president of the MAE Organization for the Homeless .

Christina?s passion for those that are less fortunate came about after electively living among the homeless in San Francisco with a group of other students while in high school. In her role as president of MAE, she has assisted in securing tens of thousands of dollars in grant writing and fundraising as well as serving clients through outreach efforts.

Having found much of her strength in self-awareness and authenticity, recently Christina has set out on a path to empower like-minded, strong women, by assisting them in integrating mindfulness into their daily practices. She believes that in order to stand strong in leadership roles, women must first overcome their past traumas and seek to discover the essence of who they really are.

Christina has received multiple Citizen Citations in recognition of her work with the homeless from the Mayor of Providence, the Rhode Island Senate, and the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Also, she was honored among the top 1.7% of citizens colleagues as a Credo Champion in 2016 and 2017. She was granted the MAE lifetime service award in 2019 for her dedication to helping those less fortunate.

ADDYSON BRADLEY

Am er ica's M ajest ic M iss Nat ion al Pr in cess Hi everyone! I'm Addyson, but everyone calls me Addy.

I'm your new AMM National Princess. I am SO excited to represent AMM for the next year! Addyson Bradley comes to us from Kentucky and loves hotdogs and cheerleading.

America's Majestic Miss started in 2012 to empower young girls ages 2 and up through out the United States to develop life-long success skills including academic excellence, making a difference through

community

BEAUTY

BEYONDTHE

service,

building

confidence,

improving

speaking skills, and achieving their dreams. Whether this is your first pageant, or you are a seasoned pageant girl - this pageant is for you! VISIT https://www.americasmajesticmiss.com/

SHEREEKOESTER-50S

DREISASHERRILL- 60S

MSSENIORWORLDPAGEANT https://www.seniorworldpageants.com/

PAULALEE- 70S

RENEEADCOCK- LEADERSHIP

NOVEMBER6-10,2021BILOXI,MISSISSIPPI

Cou r t n ey Kelleigh began acting at nine years old, performing small roles for a theatre company that was contracted by her parents - The Clifton Park Players. The company was one of the first of its kind to offer "dinner theatre" in the early 2000's at her family?s banquet hall. Courtney performed with Saratoga Children's theatre and held local acting roles in Saratoga and Albany. As time passed, other creative endeavors took priority- such as pageantry.

While she has held minor roles in Reality TV, her interest lies in directing and acting in documentaries that are educational in nature. She has a career in a different industry that takes most of her focus.

Courtney is the great granddaughter of Waldo J. Kelleigh, a famous inventor who lived during the early 20th century.

BEAUTY

BEYONDTHE

Project Sunlight is a four-bedroom two-bathroom home located on the outskirts of Thomasville's Inwood Plantation in South Georgia at 28 Acacia Boulevard. It is on half an acre of property carefully appointed with its own palm trees. The home was built in the early 1990's. It will be used as a long-term transitional home for 4 to 6 young women over 18 years of age that experience mental health issues as well as homelessness or housing instability.

Outreach Angels hopes to mentor and nurture these women through the PROJECT SUNLIGHT program which teaches life skills and provides career development. Participants will stay for one month up to one year and receive the highest quality of mental health care services through Thomas County as well as connection to allied services and vocational rehabilitation that will encourage long-term independence.

The closing for this property began on August 20th. The mortgage for the property was approved based solely on the credit and income of the organization's president - Courtney Kelleigh. Moving forward, there are plans to receive compensation from Thomas County as a group home to sustain house expenses and cover the boarding fees for residents. Courtney will live in the home as director, overseeing the care of each client initially with plans to hire a live-in house manager in Spring of 2022.

My love of all things music, singing, and performing began when I was 7 years old and I was smitten with Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. I knew then, as I know now, I was born to perform! I wanted to sing, perform and move people with my voice. I received my Bachelors of Music degree from Carson-Newman University in Voice Performance and Pedagogy with a minor in piano and theater. I immediately spread my performance wings by auditioning and securing a position in a professional touring company called Jeremiah People. Through Jeremiah People, I was fortunate to travel the United States for 2 years performing on stage premiering the show, Home Again, Portrait of a Family. During this time, we performed nightly at churches, high schools, colleges, and event centers across the country.

Upon completion of the tour, I moved to California to continue pursuing my dreams. I met and married a man who had a wonderful voice and loved to perform as well.

We had a very successful run at singing and performing together while in California. We moved to Texas in 1991 and it was here that life began throwing curve balls. My dreams were violently interrupted when my husband filed for divorce and the darkness began to set in. It was at this time that I went into retail management and worked as a store manager for several women?s retail shops in the area.

Even though, I stopped singing and playing piano, but my dreams never went away.

Kim ber ly Gh edi - M s. Texas Sen ior Am er ica 2022 In December 2021, I will be 64 years old, and have never shied away from telling people the truth about my age. I am very grateful for each day, each experience...for although the years will add wrinkles to my face, I will find beauty in each one.

My husband Todd and I have a beautifully blended family of 6 grown children, and 8 (absolutely perfect) grandchildren...and I am not the least bit biased. We live in Plano, Texas where I am self-employed with my own music studio located in our home, Kimberly?s Music Studio. I have been blessed to teach children and adults private voice and piano lessons now for 15 years. I will likely never retire because I do what I love and I love what I do- to inspire others with the beauty and essence of music.

Fast forward to 2007, I was, day by day, making my way out of the darkness and decided to apply at a small music academy in the area to teach voice and piano privately. I was off to a slow start, as I began to sing again, working on my voice, and tuning up my piano. Four years after teaching at this academy, I opened Kimberly?s Music Studio on sheer determination and lots of faith-filled prayer. God honored my prayers and my faith and my little dream was rekindled. In 2013, I auditioned for and gained a position in Spectacular Senior Follies, now known as Spectacular Follies. I was back on the stage and giving my vocal ?chops? a chance to shine again. I am now in my 7th year of performing with this wonderful, talented group of seniors.

In 2019, I entered Ms. Texas Senior America pageant and much to my complete shock was awarded 1st runner up and Top Talent! The pageant bug had struck. I just had to try again, and here we are! Dreams really do come true, even at 64!

For Booking and appearances information: Kimberly Ghedi mtsa2022kimberly@gmail.com 214-714-4693 appearances)

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David Sward Photography

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ANYAANNONE-JRMISSOFTHESOUTHERNSTATES In March of 2021, Anya Annone decided to enter her first pageant ever and chose the American Pageants Inc organization. She was appointed Junior Miss of the Southern States which granted her the opportunity to compete at nationals in November 2021. This state title could not be more fitting since Anya has lived in 3 ?Southern States.? For years, Anya would watch on television and social media so many young ladies her age win titles and use their crown for a purpose. Her mother competed in pageants as a teen and compliments pageants for teaching her the best interview skills, community impact, and for finding some of the best friends a girl could dream of. As a toddler, Anya would play dress up in her old gowns, sashes, and crowns pretending she was a queen.

After a long struggle with self-confidence and overcoming bullying in elementary school, Anya finally said, ?it?s time to prove to myself I can do this.? She knew of someone at her local high school in Georgia who competed in pageants. Anya decided to reach out to her which is very outside of her comfort zone. After an encouraging conversation, she decided to compete for Junior Miss of the Southern States. Anya immediately decided that perfect platform for her was to promote the importance of literacy. Reading has helped Anya through so much anxiety and overcome a vision disability which is what made her an easy target to be bullied. She created a platform called ?Readers Are Leaders? which is a program where she reads to school children in their classroom promoting literacy, how it defines their future positively, and how it plays a role in bullying prevention. Anya?s favorite quote is ?A normal person lives one life, but a reader lives thousands.?

Anya is an Italian-American 15-year-old, entrepreneur, volunteer, cheerleader and 10th grade honor roll student. Serving as the Junior Miss of the Southern States has opened so many more volunteering opportunities. She hopes to win Junior Miss of America so she can take her platform and volunteering opportunities even further. Her goal is to read to at least one school per month to touch as many children as possible in hopes reading can impact them just like it did her. Anya has the highest Reading Lexile score for the last 2 years in her class. Not too bad for someone blind in one eye that struggled with the ability to see small letters in elementary school.

Anya has also volunteered for ?Rise Against Hunger ? where over 250k meals were delivered to Haiti. She is a member of ?For Paws Sake? pet club where they gather donations of food, supplies, and shelter for pets in need. In addition, she was asked to host a live Italian themed cooking show with Chef Shabkeim with Tintswalo Catering. She was recorded live on Facebook and Instagram cooking her favorite left-over pasta dish passed down from her Nonna called macaroni pie. This show gave her the ability to talk about her ?Readers Are Leaders? program and to talk about her new journey. Just when you think she couldn?t fit extra-curricular activities into her daily life, she started her own online boutique that she calls her back up plan. She is the youngest on the varsity cheerleading team, a senior red belt in Taekwondo, a novice tumbler-in-training, and a Marksman sharpshooter. Anya aspires to major in Forensics with a minor in Journalism. She would like to be chosen to attend the Teen FBI camp in Virginia. She plans to also write her own book or two as well.

Anya is a normal teen girl who loves to cook with her family, spend time with close friends, and loves Pinterest fashion and makeup boards. Wardrobe shopping is a close second. According to Anya, ?This has been the best year of her life and she is learning so much about herself.?

Abiding Light Photography

https://www.charlotteent.net/ashantipageant