In 2022, I attended the USA National Miss Forum and Sweetheart Pageant in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a weekend full of learning from various pageant experts, coaches, vendors, shopping/vendor opportunities, and more. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a TON. I was struck by how many more resources contestants from the southern states have in comparison to girls like me from the North. An idea was born and I decided that it was my goal to create something similar for girls "up North." As I started my planning and research, I found that USA National Miss currently has 19 state pageants, which means there are 34 states without state pageants. Of those 34 states, 25 of them are north of the Mason-Dixon line. This is a HUGE opportunity for growth, and it is my goal as both a state and national titleholder to help grow pageantry as a whole, but especially within USA National Miss. 

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When I created this Expo, I wanted to make sure it was open to contestants from ALL systems. Positive Pageantry is a movement created by USA National Miss, and I subscribe to it wholeheartedly. I am proud to say the very first Northern States Pageant Expo and Trade Show was held on February 3, 2024, with over 75 attendees from 15 different pageant systems. I recruited seven speakers from various areas of expertise, such as coaches, directors, interview and social media specialists, and even a fitness coach. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle, shop, and visit with pageant vendors. In the evening, guests changed into cocktail dresses for a fashion show and party put on by my sponsor, The Pageant Shop, showcasing over 30 outfits and 17 models from various pageant systems. Plans are already in the works for 2025, and I am so excited to see what the future brings!