The Reign: Miss Southlake Westlake 2025

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Letter from Executive Director Welcome to the Miss Southlake Organization I am a beneficiary of the outstanding legacy of the Miss Texas and Miss America Organizations. As a local titleholder, I competed four times with four different organizations before I was selected to serve as Miss Texas 2012. Each of my local directors and boards gave countless time, energy, talents, and resources to help shape me into who I am today.

Although several years have passed since I served as Miss Texas, my heart has never left this organization. The life skills that you learn through competing and serving as a titleholder aid you in every area of your life. That is ultimately why I decided to come back as a local director. I am excited to hit the ground running with innovative ideas to enrich the legacy of this program.

Preparing Women for the Stage and Beyond A major component of Miss Texas and Miss America is the competition. I have spent a majority of my life in different types of competitions. I began my competitive years in twirling, transitioned to the Miss America local, state, and national stage, and now compete in the courtroom. I know about the persistence and drive that it takes to train like a champion. We have assembled an exciting team of talented people who also know what it takes to reach the next level.

Preparing Great Women for the World As the largest scholarship provider for women, Miss America funds the academic dreams of its participants. Thanks in part to my scholarships from local competitions, Miss Texas, and Miss America, I graduated debt-free. As Malala Yousafzai said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” We are striving to increase the amount of scholarship assistance we can provide to our representatives and all of our contestants.

Preparing the World for Great Women Women’s voices are being heard like never before. We want to build on that movement by developing our representative’s advocacy skills and providing opportunities for her to advocate for her causes.

By partnering with the Southlake local government and other local organizations, we can show our community the power of our program and our women.

We are so excited that you have chosen to participate in our organization! We are going to have a phenomenal year.

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DaNae Couch Lowe, Miss Texas 2012

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the reign Stye. Service. Success. Scholarship. Southlake.

Miss Southlake, Miss Westlake, Miss Southlake’s Teen, and Miss Westlake’s Teen (The Lakers) are the celebrity representatives of the Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization (MSSO) to the public.

As a member of the MSSO team, she is responsible for positively advancing the goals and objectives of MSSO as well as her own Community Service Initiative (CSI). The Lakers will work with the MSSO team to develop goals to advance her chosen CSI while serving as a role model in the SouthlakeWestlake communities.

In addition, the Lakers will serve as advocates for the Miss America Scholarship Foundation and the MSSO, raising funds to create educational opportunities for young women a reality. Locally, the titleholders support the Lone Star Scholarship Foundation and Texas Cares for Children.

As such, public speaking and performance are essential skills for our representatives. She will speak to and perform for audiences of all sizes. She is a representative of MSSO with sponsors, students, and the communities of Southlake and Westlake.

A first step to continuing her education and career, joining the Lakers is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that carries with it service above self. We look forward to welcoming you to the Sisterhood!

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THE COMPETITION

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OPENING NUMBER

INTROS

ON-STAGE INTERVIEW

HEALTH & FITNESS

TEEN TALENT

MISS TALENT

INTERMISSION

EVENING WEAR

2024 LAKERS FAREWELLS

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FINAL WALK

CROWNING & AWARDS THE LAKERS ORG | 4

PHASES OF COMPETITION

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PRIVATE INTERVIEW Comprising 30% of a contestant's score, the ten-minute interview provides insight into the contestant’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a local titleholder. You will submit a one-page Fact Sheet and Community Service Essay that will guide the interview.

It gives the judges the opportunity to learn about your unique qualities, commitment to advance your community service initiative, accomplishments beyond your fact sheet, and your personal beliefs.

ON-STAGE CONVERSATION Comprising 10% of a contestant’s score, the On-Stage Conversation question is a single question asked on stage regarding the contestant’s community service initiative. A contestant will have thirty seconds to respond to the question.

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EVENING GOWN Comprising 20% of a contestant’s score, each contestant will compete in Eveing Gown in the evening wear of her selection. This phase of competition highlights each delegate's unique sense of style while wearing an evening gown in a fashion suitable for an appearance as Miss Texas/Miss Texas' Teen.

Part of a titleholder's role is to attend galas, fundraisers, awards shows, and other formal events. This often involves walking a red carpet, posing for press photographers, modeling in fashion shows, and promoting various national fashion designers who partner with the Miss America/Miss America's Teen programs.

Note: Neither the attire itself nor the estimated cost of the wardrobe will be considered in scoring.

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TALENT OR HERSTORY Comprising 20% of a contestant’s score, the 90-second talent or HERstory competition allows insight into the contestant’s preparatory and performance skills. Talent may be either (1) a performance talent or (2) a HERStory presentation. Performance talents include vocal, dance, instrumental, gymnastics, twirling, speed-painting, monologues or spoken words, etc. HERstory presentations are an opportunity for a delegate to share a 90-second story that provides insight into the delegate's background.

The talent presentation, overall performance, and technical ability and skill are taken into consideration. For information regarding approved performance talents or HERstory parameters, please reach out to DaNae Couch Lowe at DaNae@MissSouthlake.Org.

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HEALTH & FITNESS The Miss America and Miss America's Teen Organizations are partnered with the American Heart Association to promote the importance of women's heart health. Comprising 20% of a contestant’s score, the Health & Fitness Competition is where the contestant showcases her commitment to these initiatives.

Here, a contestant will model aerobic or active-wear clothing, NOT a swimsuit on stage for 20-30 seconds. Judges will consider the first impression of a dynamic presence, high energy, engaging vitality and a sense of confidence.

The Miss America Organization launched a collection with Rebel Athletic for Health & Fitness wardrobe, with a percentage benefiting the scholarship organization. Scan the QR Code to show your support!

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MISS 2025 PANELISTS

A graduate of Baylor University, Keith Davenport currently serves as a communications manager with Baylor Scott & White Health System in Texas. He is retired from AT&T after a 22-year career as a training and communications leader.

Keith was actively involved in the Miss Texas Scholarship Organization for more than 15 years and served as executive director of the Miss Fort Worth Scholarship Organization from 2007 to 2011. He had privilege of working with two titleholders who went on to win the Miss Texas title—Kristin Blair in 2009 and Ashley Melnick Yarborough in 2010. He continues to volunteer as a judge for local MAO competitions across the country. Keith resides in Garland, Texas, and spends his spare time traveling or dog sitting for friends who travel more than he does.

Having graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas Christian University, Joyceanna Delight Justice has enjoyed a long career as a business owner and operator in the insurance industry and is also gratified to teach in higher education as a professor of communication studies.

As a former state, regional and national baton twirling champion, Delight now serves a certified judge for the United States Twirling Association (USTA). After winning the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Grand National Strut Championship, Delight was honored to become a member of the AAU Baton Twirling Exhibition Team that performed at the 1980 AAU Jr. Olympics Opening Ceremony, a final requirement that led to baton 11 | THE LAKERS ORG

KEITH DAVENPORT

JOYCEANNA JUSTICE

twirling becoming an officially recognized AAU Junior Olympic Games sport. She was also a former contestant in the Miss Texas Organization.

Delight is happily married and raises registered Santa Gertrudis Cattle on the family ranch, Cross Timbers Farm. She especially loves her horses and two dogs, Jules and Hank.

Amelia Mugavero is an anchor and reporter at CBS News Texas, sharing stories across the North Texas region. Amelia was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and graduated from John Paul II High School in Plano. Amelia went on to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. Why Illinois? Amelia is a champion baton twirler and was offered the prestigious position to be the feature twirler for the UIUC Marching Illini. During her time in Illinois, Amelia also competed for the title of Miss Illinois from 2015-2017, placing Top 10 all three years and was first runner-up to Miss Illinois 2016.

Dawn Stringer has a background as a communications professional with a broad spectrum of achievements, from pageantry to a distinguished career in the public sector. As a former news anchor and producer, Dawn has expertly leveraged her media skills to benefit a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, where she hosts and produces the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory’s limited podcast series, “Bonding Over Science,” making complex scientific topics accessible

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AMELIA MUGAVERO

DAWN STRINGER

to a wide audience. Beyond her professional career, Dawn is the owner and operator of “Stringer Woodshop,” an online retail business that showcases her entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. This year, she was a finalist at Mrs. Texas 2024, where she championed her platform of melanoma awareness and research advocacy.

A recent melanoma survivor herself, Dawn is deeply committed to raising awareness and promoting research as a patient advocate with the Melanoma Research Alliance. She balances her professional endeavors with her role as a devoted mother to two young boys, Archie (2.5) and Hart (1), and as a loving wife of seven years.

Norval Sykes is a longstanding volunteer with the Miss America Organization, notably having served as the Miss Texas Executive Producer, Show and Set Designer from 1990 to 1999. For his years of service to the Miss Texas Organization, Norval had the honor of being inducted into the Miss Texas Hall of Honor in 1998. During his time in the Miss America Organization, Norval has judged 28 State Miss America Competitions, resulting in one Miss America, four Top 5 placements, and nine Top 10 placements.

Outside of the Miss America Organization, Norval served as an American Airlines Flight Attendant from 1989 to 1999 and received the American Airlines Outstanding Service Award for Dallas-Fort Worth in 1995. Norval has been committed to investing in students through arts education. Norval served as a Theatre Production

NORVAL SYKES

MARY ELLEN THOMAS

Teacher and was named 2008 Teacher of the Year at Plano West Sr. High.

Norval is a passionate about theatre and has seen 360 shows on Broadway!

Mary Ellen Thomas was Miss Texas in 1975 and a top ten finalist at Miss America 1976, making this summer her 50th Anniversary. She will tell you that this remains one of the most lifechanging events of her life. After graduating from Baylor University in 1976 with a degree in Vocal Performance, she pursued a career as a singer and actress in New York for almost ten years.

After retiring from show business, Mary Ellen worked as a Public Relations executive for the Rockefeller Group and later, Macy’s. Returning to Texas in 1990, she found her greatest joy in raising her children, Patrick and Sarah. She is excited for the birth of her first grandchild, in October. She lives in Colleyville and is married to Ron Hellstern, a retired emergency room physician.

Thank you so much to our incredible 2025 Miss and Teen Panelists tasked with selecting the next Miss Southlake, Miss Southlake’s Teen, Miss Westlake and Miss Westlake’s Teen! We are grateful that each of you took the time out of your Sunday schedule to join us for the 2025 Miss Southlake Westlake Competition!

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TEEN 2025 PANELISTS

Aaron Franco is the Assistant Vice President and Financial Center Manager of Frost Bank in Victoria, Texas. Aaron attended Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, where he studied Business Management. Aaron has served in multiple organization including Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, the Islander Cultural Alliance, President of Theatre Victoria, and is the current Executive Director of the Miss South Texas Scholarship Organization. Aaron is also the co-owner of The Petal Express, a flower shop, boutique and events company located in Victoria, Texas.

Joy Hunsinger is a native Texan with twenty years experience in network and telecommunications and currently works as a Business Analyst for a local material handling company that serves hundreds of business across North America.

She grew up in North Texas and began dancing as a young child. She attended the Arts Magnet High School in Dallas for one year and was a core member in a local dance company from her late teenage years through college. After college, she settled in the Seattle area where she began teaching dance classes as a way to connect with the arts community in the Pacific Northwest, which led to an opportunity at the Auburn Avenue Dinner Theater as a resident choreographer for musical productions over a six-year period. She also co-directed and performed with a dance team featured in ceremonies at the Summer 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. While in Seattle, Joy met and married her wonderful husband, Tom, and they moved with their two young sons back to where her heart is happiest, 13 | THE LAKERS ORG

AARON FRANCO

JOY HUNSINGER

the great state of Texas. Those little guys are now in college, much like many of the young women in the Miss Westlake and Miss Southlake Scholarship competition today. Joy is honored to be a first time judge this year’s competition.

Devin Kerns is an attorney practicing family law at Duffee+Eitzen LLP. Devin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from SMU in 2015, Devin attended the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where she graduated in 2018 with highest honors.

Devin is no stranger to the Miss America Organization. As a local contestant, Devin was Fourth Runner-Up to Miss Texas 2015 and Top 10 at Miss Oklahoma 2016. Outside of the Miss America Organization, Devin was Top 16 at Miss Oklahoma USA 2015 and served as Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma 2011, where she finished Top 10 at the National Competition.

In her free time, Devin loves playing sand volleyball, practicing yoga, and playing with her goldendoodle Leo. Randie Kindle is the proud owner of Kindle and Company Hair Lounge and Spa. With over 40 years of experience in the beauty industry, Randie has established himself as a leading expert in hair and beauty, earning several prestigious awards throughout his career. His dedication to excellence and passion for the craft have made his salon a goto destination for those seeking top-tier services.

Randie is honored to join the judging panel for this year’s Miss Southlake and Miss Westlake

DEVIN KERNS

RANDIE KINDLE

competition, bringing his decades of expertise and a refined eye for and industry experience in aesthetics to the event.

Caitlin Suttle has been involved with the Miss America Organization for over 20 years as a contestant, judge, emcee, choreographer, and volunteer. As Miss Teen Farmers Branch, she captured the title of Miss Teen Texas 1998, winning Preliminary and Overall Talent, Interview, and Swimsuit. As Miss Teen Texas she traveled the state speaking on her Social Impact Initiative, “Creating A Level Playing Field: Dyslexia Education and Advocacy”. Caitlin is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, in the dance and theatre departments. She is the first of four Miss Texas’ Teen state titleholders from that high school.

Caitlin was a musical theatre major at the University of Oklahoma, and has performed in many regional theatres, and local theatres across the state, Six Flags Over Texas, and as a Ray Kennedy Entertainer for American Hawaii Cruises.

She is currently a dance instructor with over 20 years of experience in all styles of dance, at DCJ Dance in Carrolton and the new location in Frisco.

Caitlin has also had the honor of being an industry professional guest teaching artist for the Texas International Thespian Society state festival, and state Jr. Thespian festival, teaching master classes to high school and middle school students from all over Texas. Caitlin has choreographed musicals for several public schools, and local Texas theatres.

She is a wife and a mom of a 20 year old, and

CAITLIN SUTTLE

LAUREN WILSON

3 year old, and currently resides in Sachse Texas.

Lauren Wilson grew up in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. She has her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations and Marketing. Throughout her career, she has been able to work in both start-up and corporate worlds and is currently a Communications Executive at a Netherlands-based software solutions company, Wolters Kluwer.

Lauren got her start in the Miss America Organization as a local titleholder in 2013. While holding her third local title, she was honored to be crowned Miss Utah 2016 where she promoted her personal platform of Suicide Awareness and Prevention. Since her time as Miss Utah, she has been a member of the Miss Utah state board as the scholarship chair, and both a local and state judge within the organization. The Miss America Organization has truly become a family affair with her mother being a local director and her sister-inlaw being the new Executive Director of the Miss Utah Organization.

In her spare time, Lauren loves to read, spend time outside (especially by water) and frequents dog parks with her large goldendoodle, Danger.

She is also a certified personal trainer and a USA Boxing certified boxing coach at Archetype Boxing Club. Lauren currently resides in Austin, Texas.

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THE LAKERS 2025

Ella Acker

Wendy Araujo

Shyama Bhatt

TEEN CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

Zoey Bruce

Natalie DuPre

Nishitha Karumuri

TEEN CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

Kira Lazarus

Alexis Mayo

Sophia Mendoza

TEEN CONTESTANT

TEEN CONTESTANT

TEEN CONTESTANT

Candidates Listed Alphabetically by Last Name.

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MAKING THE TEAM

Dannah Miller

Ravali Mocharla

Ruth Ngeny

MISS CONTESTANT

TEEN CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

Grace Shoop

Yasmine Signey

Isabelle Smith

MISS CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

Alex Steele

Holly Sullivan

Audrey Tabor

MISS CONTESTANT

MISS CONTESTANT

TEEN CONTESTANT

Candidates Listed Alphabetically by Last Name.

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MAKING THE TEAM

Nicole Thomas

Kami Tielke

MISS CONTESTANT

TEEN CONTESTANT

Danielle Walls

Savannah Wilson

MISS CONTESTANT

TEEN CONTESTANT

Candidates Listed Alphabetically by Last Name.

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COMMENTATOR

MISS TEXAS 2015

SHANNON SANDERFORD

Shannon Sanderford is the Owner and CEO of two thriving Dallas agencies, FourFront Agency and Blondly Agency. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, Shannon helps clients achieve their marketing goals and grow their businesses.

Shannon also held the title of Miss Texas 2015, and during her year of service, she made over 470 appearances and spoke before more than 100,000 people. She placed among the Top 10 at the 2016 Miss America Competition and was a two-time overall interview winner during her three years of competing for the title of Miss Texas. Shannon takes pride in having financed the total cost of her Master’s Degrees with the scholarships she received from the Miss America and Miss Texas Organizations and Dallas Baptist University—a proud supporter of Miss Texas.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Shannon is a dedicated volunteer and is regularly asked to speak at and emcee corporate and charitable events. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys exploring the vibrant Dallas food scene and spending quality time with her husband, Andrew, and their beloved fur babies, Willa Jane and Norman.

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SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS Miss Southlake and Westlake

$1,000

Miss Interview

$100

Miss Evening Gown

$100

SPONSORED BY MISS SOUTHLAKE SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION SPONSORED BY PAGEANT PREP BY LANDRY SPONSORED BY MISS SOUTHLAKE SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION

Miss Talent

SPONSORED BY MISS TEXAS 2006 SHILAH PHILLIPS

Miss Congeniality

$100 $50

Miss Southlake and Westlake’s Teen

$500

Teen Interview

$100

Teen Evening Gown

$100

Teen Talent

$100

Teen Congeniality

$50

SPONSORED BY MISS SOUTHLAKE SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION SPONSORED BY MISS SOUTHLAKE’S TEEN 2023 SUMMER OWENS SPONSORED BY MISS SOUTHLAKE SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION SPONSORED BY MISS SOUTHLAKE’S TEEN 2023 SUMMER OWENS

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2023-2024

YEAR IN

REVIEW 21 | THE LAKERS ORG

The Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization has been incredibly active since the 2024 Competition. Annette Addo-Yobo, Sophia Haddad, Austin Douglas and Sunya Ajani represented Southlake at 150 in-person and virtual events. We are so thankful for their incredible service to their community!

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irst. Annette Addo-Yobo made herstory. Not ony did she become the first Miss Southlake to become Miss Texas when she earned the coveted crown earlier this year, but Annette became the first immigrant-born woman to serve as Miss Texas. Born in Ghana, Annette and her family immigrated to the United States before moving to Canada and back to the United States. The accomplishment comes two years after Annette Addo-Yobo became a naturalized U.S. citizen in April 2022.

Inspired by her own personal experience with her brother Andrew’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, Annette created her Community Service Inititaive, The S.P.A.R.K. Project: Autism Safety, Awareness and Education.

Through her initiative, Annette

provides training to educators, families and officers about autism safety and teaches students about inclusivity. As Miss Southlake, Annette has focused on her community service initiative, traveling to Washington, D.C. where she advocated to members of Capitol Hill about the importance of investing in autism safety legislation. She also appeared before the Southlake City Council, where the City issued a proclamation for World Autism Day. By partnering with Autism Speaks, Annette has been able to amplify her voice to discuss the effects of ASD through a multidisciplinary lens.

Outside of these initiatives, Annette has engaged the City of Southlake as an ambassador of the Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization. She has been welcomed with open arms at a variety of community events as both an emcee and model.

On June 29, Annette’s life changed when she earned the job of Miss Texas 2024. As Miss Texas, Annette will represent the State of Texas at the Miss America Competition at the

Walt Disney Theater in the Dr. Phillip’s Center in Orlando, Florida, from December 31, 2024, to January 5, 2025.

Until then, Annette will make countless appearances throughout the State of Texas. In doing so, Annette will continue to raise awareness for autism safety, education and awareness. She will also complete her Master’s in Business Administration.

Additionally, she will serve as an ambassador for the Miss Texas Organization and Texas Cares for Children. Interested in booking Annette Addo-Yobo for an upcoming event? Visit www. misstexas.org for more details.

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When you’re using social media, it should be a tool for passion, creativity, and sharing opportunities like the Miss America Opportunity.

Use your power for good.

T

echnology defines our everyday life today, often informing basic day-today activities. In some cases, technology may be a helpful tool to inspire creativity, foster communities, facilitate access to information, and more. However, people have unfortunately seen many consequences from the proliferation of technology.

For example, according to the Department of Health & Human Services, nearly 50% of teens aged 13-17 said social media makes them feel worse as a result of negative inundation online.

Additionally, overdependence on technology has resulted in a steep decline in essential faceto-face interaction with others.

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Although we cannot get rid of technology, it is never too early to teach others how to better use it.

Miss Southlake’s Teen Sophia Haddad launched her Community Service Initiative, Connecting to Community, to address this issue by equipping both parents and kids with the essential tools to live a balanced life online. In doing so, Sophia helps create a generation of social media-literate teens and informed parents that are equipped with the tools necessary to best understand and discuss technology with their kids. Throughout her year of service, Sophia spoke with students and parents about the

importance of online safety, tips on how to use technology in a balanced manner, and uplifted local businesses through her Southlake Saturdays series.

Outside of her service initiative, Sophia has spent her year of service as a frequent emcee of events in the Southlake/Westlake communities, including Home for the Holidays and Celebrate Southlake, and a partner with various stores in Southlake Town Square throught her Southlake Saturdays series.

At Miss Texas’ Teen, Sophia Haddad went on not only to place in the Top 12 but earned herself recognition as a Miss Texas’ Teen College Interview Finalist.

SOPHIA HADDAD

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AUSTIN DOUGLAS

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very day 42 families learn that their child has cancer. In fact, every 80 seconds a child is diagnosed with cancer.

Inspired by a family member’s battle with pediatric cancer, Miss Westlake Austin Douglas has dedicated her year to fighting childhood cancer.

Crowned in September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Austin kickstarted her year with an awareness walk.

Throughout her year of service, Austin collaborated with local city governments throughout the State of Texas to declare February 15 International Childhood Cancer Day to raise awareness within communities about the prevalent statistics surrounding this issue and how people can take action to reduce it.

Austin’s work extended beyond

awareness and patient care.

Studies suggest that one in four families lose about 40% of their household incomes as a result of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

Austin has spotlighted the impact on families and the need to provide familial support through toiletry donations and financial assistance to those experiencing hardships related to a family member’s fight with pediatric cancer.

Beyond her community service work, Austin was an active member of the Southlake and Westlake Community events, assisting with both Somos Southlake and Oktoberfest. In Fall 2023, Austin made her State Fair of Texas debut atop the Big Texas float during the nightly parade. Earlier this year, Austin traveled to the Texas Capitol in Austin, TX, in conjunction with the American Heart Association

to advocate for the importance of cardiovascular health. Austin also traveled to Seattle, WA, during the holidays where she was a featured performer at the Seattle Festival of Trees benefitting Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Of course, Austin deserves her roses! A first time competitor at the Miss Texas Competition, Austin Douglas left her mark. At Miss Texas, Austin Douglas went on not only to place in the Top 12 but earned herself recognition for the Best of Texas Silver Medal Award. Additionally, Austin was named a Miss Texas College Interview Finalist.

Miss Westlake Austin Douglas recently used the scholarships that she has earned in the Miss America Organization to pursue a study abroad program in London, United Kingdom through Baylor University.

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D

ental hygiene is an important window into a person’s overall health.

It not only provides insight into your nutrition but may also be a doctor’s first sign of general infection or disease. Although regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental diseases, unfortunately, some 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year according to the American Dental Association.

During her year of service, Sunya raised awareness about the importance of dental hygiene and the link between your smile and confidence, spotlighting her own personal experience as well as key health information about how to live a healthy lifestyle.

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Additionally, Sunya highlighted the tie between dental hygiene and overall physical health as an extension of the #MissAmericaFit initiative.

Beyond dental hygiene, Sunya was an advocate for accessible dental care, emphasizing the importance of dental care regardless of socioeconomic status.

Beyond her community service work, Sunya was an active member of the Southlake and Westlake Community events, emceeing Home for the Holidays; embracing cultural diversity at the annual Diwali, Fest; and enjoying community service opportunities with the Miss Texas’ Teen class. As the first Indian American Miss

Westlake’s Teen, Sunya took the opportunity to connect with the Indian community in North Texas and encourage others to join the Miss America Opportunity.

Outside of this, Sunya launched a series on Instagram documenting the lead up to her experience at Miss Texas’ Teen.

At Miss Texas’ Teen, Sunya was recognized as a Miss Texas’ Teen College Interview Finalist and a receipient of a NonFinalist Evening Gown Award.

Having graduated from Coppell High School in May 2023, Sunya is now a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. In August 2024, Sunya became a proud member of Kappa Delta. Hook ‘em!

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Southlake Town Square 321 Grand Avenue West, Southlake, TX 76092 Phone: (817) 442-3859 THE LAKERS ORG | 38

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