A Look Back …. Kelissa and Pageants

Many people have asked just how many pageants Kelissa has done and which ones so here’s the run down.

Little Miss Harmon County- Winner

Little Miss Rolling Plains-Second Runner Up

Little Miss Sparkler-Winner

Junior Miss Harmon County-Winner

American Coed Sweetheart-Fourth Runner UP

American Coed Sweetheart-Winner

Nationals for American Coed Sweetheart in Orlando, Fl-Didn’t place

National American Miss Preteen-First Runner up

Little Miss Firecracker-Winner

National American Miss Preteen –Winner

Nationals for National American Miss in Los Angeles-Didn’t Place

National American Miss Jr Teen-1st Runner Up

National American Miss Teen-1st Runner Up

Teen Miss Harmon County-Winner

Miss Fourth of July-Winner

Miss Harmon County-Fourth Runner Up

Miss Altus’ Outstanding Teen-First Runner Up

Miss Queen of the West Outstanding Teen-Second Runner up

Miss Altus’ Outstanding Teen-Winner

Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen-Didn’t Place

Miss Oklahoma’s Teen USA-Fourth Runner Up Swimsuit Winner

Miss Harmon County-Winner

I was never a pageant girl so they didn’t impress me much.  When Kelissa was six she had a near death encounter with a dental procedure gone wrong and got a very dangerous infection.  After being in the hospital for five days and having a fever of 106.7, she came home getting to do pretty much as she pleased.  Little Miss Harmon County was one week after her hospitalization so when she wanted to be in it of course I said yes.  Still running a low grade fever she did it and loved every second of it.  When she was called out as the winner she didn’t even know what she had done, but the stage was set and she has been doing them ever since.

  

Little Miss Harmon County

  One thing pageants do is allow much stage time and performance.

  Loving the stage is her main reason for enjoying pageants early on.

Little Miss Sparkler

Junior Miss Harmon County

Teen Miss Harmon County

 

Miss Oklahoma Sweetheart - Coed

Miss Oklahoma Jr. Teen NAM

Junior Miss Harmon County

Miss Oklahoma NAM

Pageants offer much fun and excitement.  Parties and dances top off most of the bigger pageants.

 

Competing at Nationals in Orlando, Fl.

Meeting and making long term friends is one of Kelissa’s most valued parts of the competition.

Nationals in L.A. California

Little Miss Firecracker

 

I would say this is the most important part of reining as a queen for the year.  Kelissa has loved meeting dignitaries and famous people.  Making the top of list include Senator Bob Kerr, Representative David Braddock, Governor Brad Henry, Representative Purcy Walker,  Quarterback Mark Brunell, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Kaitlyn Brunell,  Miss Oklahoma’s Teen USA and good friend Taylor Gorton.

  

 

Kelissa and Tayor Gorton.

 

M.C. for Little Miss Merry Christmas with Cheryl.

 

 

Signing autographs!?!

 

Tanya and Chris were amazing during Kelissa’s rein as Miss Altus Outstanding Teen.

 

Being spoiled rotten.

 

   Miss Altus entourage. Everyone was wonderful.

 

Lane and big brother Cason were good sports here helping with the production number.

  I love this picture.  She’s talking about her mama!:)

 

Pageants are a great way to bring the whole family together for love and support.

  Meeting wonderful people make it all worthwhile.

 

  Evening wear for Miss Oklahoma’s Teen USA.

 

Miss Harmon County.

My outlook on pageants has changed over the years.  I no longer see them as a vain self- indulgent hobby.  They require tremendous work and time.  Kelissa has learned humility more than any other attribute.  She can lose like a winner and win like a champion.  Having to do community service has caused her to rack up several hundred hours of helping others which has implanted in her a hunger and drive to be a world changer and make a difference for others.  Giving introductions and speeches has given her direction in what she wants to do with her life.  Interviews have given her a world perspective on most issues political and current.  Meeting people of excellence has given her a high standard with high expectations.  Competing has taught her to love the underdog.  Winning the crown is only a small part of the journey.  If the crown in never won the journey is still very well worth it.  What one can learn about themselves and others makes the time well spent. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and helped her along the way.  She has gained so much.  The love and support from her community and those who have helped her along the way have made an investment in her life and as a mother I am truly grateful.