Hey Queens!
We’re only 129 days away from 2019 Royal International Miss Internationals. It’s time for me to buckle down and get serious in my pageant preparation, but first, I’d like for you all to meet one of my sister queens.
This Titleholder Tuesday post is featuring Cortni Cheyenne Risley! Cortni is our current Royal International Miss Oklahoma, but she has also held the titles of 2016 National American Miss Oklahoma and 2014 Miss Wagoner. From Tulsa, Oklahoma, this 22 year-old loves to read and write, and she lived in Alaska for three years and spoke Yupik Eskimo!
Be sure to follow her Instagram.
Take it away, Cortni!
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire!
I started competing when I was in elementary school around the age of 5, my mom signed me up for a little local title and I placed as a runner up, and it ignited a fire in me. I was really shy growing up and when I moved on to a larger system, I saw the older girls and wanted to be just like them. At that age I did it mostly to have a sparkly crown, but as I grew older, I spent less time focusing on winning the title and more time on becoming the best version of myself that I could be.
I love the growth that comes from competing. The people I have met through my time competing have pushed me and helped me to grow into who I am today. Pageantry challenges me in ways that I have never been challenged before. I like to say that pageants are their own sport entirely, because you are constantly practicing, always trying to improve, learn and grow as you prepare for competition and when the pageant finally arrives, you leave it all out on the stage. But instead of helmets and cleats, we wear crowns and high heels.
When I was in my first NAMiss pageant in 2007, I met a girl names Nicole Flippo and I was instantly captivated by hergrace and poise. We became fast friends and when I won my NAM title in 2016, Nicole was my predecessor and she crownedme. It was such a special moment for me to win my first NAM title and have one of my friends crown me on the stage we grew up on.
I love to volunteer! So far I have volunteered with Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Autism Speaks, Stillwater Humane Society, Cowboython, Reading Buddies, Into The Streets, Big Event, charity fashion show for Bit by Bit therapeutic riding center, and I have donated books and school supplies to a hospital here in Stillwater.
I love The Queen Next Door because it gives people an opportunity to learn more about title holders. There is more to a title holder then the pretty gowns and crowns, and The Queen Next Door opens up the possibility for others to see what each title holder is passionate about, what she loves, her involvement within her community, and fun facts about her. It gives people a peak into who that titleholder really is.
This funny, adventurous, and ambitious Miss will be competing for the title of Royal International Miss this July in Orlando, Florida! I already know she’s going to do great, and I can’t wait to see what amazing things she will accomplish throughout the rest of her reign.
I hope you ladies enjoyed learning more about this 2019 Royal International Miss titleholder. Not sure what system to compete in? Make Royal International Miss your next pageant! Learn more about the system here.
Until the next post,
Jordan