Hey queens!
It’s time to start the official countdown until Internationals. There are only 32 days left, and the RIM Social Media Challenge starts tomorrow! Be sure to follow #RIMSocialCal on Instagram to get to know more about the face behind The Queen Next Door. Now, let’s get to know today’s queen.
Alexis Miranda is the current Royal International Miss Grand Canyon State Pre-Teen; she was also the USA National Miss Verrado Jr. Teen. This Verrado (Buckeye), Arizona native loves making people smile. She’s 13 years old and once performed a Spanish variation of the Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet!
Be sure to follow her RIMstagram.
Take it away, Alexis!
I want to inspire the world, not just live in it.
My Mother and I were watching Miss USA. I watched with excitement at all the beautiful ladies. They walked with such poise and elegance. They even talked with grace. Being smart looked good on them! When it was over, I asked my Mom if I could be a Miss USA someday. She said why not Miss Universe! Ironically my Mom had seen a recruiting post in our community for a local pageant. We decided to be like Nike and “Just Do It!”
My first pageant was with USA National Miss in January of 2018. I took 2nd runner up and was invited to be an ambassador for my community through an appointed title. My new title became “2019 USA National Miss Verrado Jr. Teen.”
I was inspired by those beautiful women at Miss USA. They all were doing amazing things with their lives through education and volunteering. I could see myself doing that. I like positive happy people and I just felt so empowered. After I did my first pageant, I told my Mother I wanted to do it again! All the girls I meet that weekend of the pageant were so positive, beautiful, friendly, accepting, smart and did I say Beautiful!!! Some had been doing pageants for awhile and I could tell. They were so polished in their look and how they talked. What I saw on TV was real!!!! And I wanted to blossom just like that into the best version of myself. I wanted my smile, my energy to be that light of encouragement that only shines from within. Anyone can act, but true beauty comes from being genuine in your heart so that everything you say and do is a natural reflection of your best version.
The opportunities earned from pageants are endless!!! From appearances, volunteering, fashion shows, photo shoots, and participating in projects that are making a difference in my community. It is like I suddenly got Wonder Women powers except instead of a lasso, I have a crown and for super hero strength, I have a comradery of all my pageants sisters who come together as if I hit a crown spotlight in the sky, they would all come running. #PositivePageantry is thriving in Arizona. Does not matter what system you are in. We all see each other at numerous events and hug, love, and support on each other and our causes.
The last pageant I was in which was Royal International Miss. They had a pre-pageant masquerade party. My dad went and was looking all daper in his mask and suit. It made me happy to see him getting into the spirit. He even won a prize for his costume. That was a fun night.
I am poised. 6 years of Dance (Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary) have taught me how to hold my posture tall and light. It has also taught me sportsmanship and how to perform under pressure even when things do not go always by the plan.
I a bright; this word had a double meaning to me. I was a member of the National Elementary Honor Society which was a huge accomplishment considering my parents thought I had dyslexia growing up being a slow reader and low grades. Turns out I just needed to read more 😊 I just graduated from 8th grade from my Honors classes and on the President’s List for straight A’s all year long. School is not easy for me, but I like doing my best. The dual meaning of bright comes from my faith in Jesus. Everyone has a “bright” light. It is just a matter of discovering it and letting it be seen to help others.
I am authentic. This ties in with so many other great personal characteristics like trustworthy, compassionate, and being genuine. If you want to make an impact on people, you have to be able to relate to people, try to put yourself in their shoes. We are all a work of art in progress especially at 13 😊 I just try to be the best version of myself and be humble when I stumble.
I actually have a couple of platforms. My first one is My Heart 4 Art (www.MyHeart4Art.org) where I teach kids how to create their vision or dream boards. I have taught 2 classes already and another planned this month since school is out. I have helped over 30 kids visualize their dreams. My other personal project ties in with Royal International Miss’s platform for Literacy All Year Long or #Literacy365. I started “Lexi for Literacy” since I struggled with reading in elementary school. I just wanted to create a social awareness campaign and get people excited to read something, anything. My goal has been to post every 2 weeks about reading and literacy. I was also invited to participate in a book drive with a Sash Sister to bring books to Haiti. I set up 2 boxes at my music and dance studio where I was able to collect over 40 books from my community.
I love The Queen Next Door because we are all Queens in our own right. The hardest thing for me growing up has been to find that inner queen. A queen is confident in who she is, strives to learn something new everyday, shows kindness even when kindness isn’t being returned, and making a difference in her world with her own talents and personal traits. The Queen Next Door empowers every girl to know they are a Queen. It does not take a crown or a sash to tell you that. Be different, Be Unique, Be You! That is a Queen!
This bright, poised, and authentic Pre-Teen will be competing for the title of Royal International Miss Pre-Teen next month in Orlando, Florida! We can’t wait to see Alexis grace the stage and make her state proud throughout the various phases of competition. Good luck, and can’t wait to meet you!
Until next time,
Jordan