Kaleigh Garris has just been named Miss Teen USA 2019.
The young beauty queen was crowned Miss Teen USA 2019, on 28th April at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, Nevada. The pageant competition which is held annually across America since 1983, was organised by the Miss Universe Organization. The competition saw teen girls aged between 14 and 19 years battle it out for the crown. Garris’ win places her the few young black girls to win the prestigious crown. Beating out 51 other contestants, Garris will retain the crown for a year, before another beauty queen is announced.
Reacting to the news, Sherri, a high school student is seen exclaiming “Oh my God!” severally. Gasping and quivering after receiving the good news, she was quickly adorned with the crown and sash, making for a gorgeous vision of black beauty. As the crown sat on her afro, Garris took a while to come to terms with her new appointment and historic win.
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Speaking after her crowning, she admitted that she faced self-doubt whilst in the competition, saying that “there are so many great people. She also thanked her support system for their love and support throughout the grueling process.
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The teenager from Milford Connecticut is still in school at Joseph A. Foran High School. When she is not studying, the 18-year-old occupies her time with competitive dancing among many other charitable activities. According to The New Haven Register, “Garris studies theater at ACES ECA and founded an organization called ‘We Are People 1st’ to assist people with disabilities, based on what she has witnessed from her older sister, who has disabilities. She has been trained in contemporary, jazz, pointe, hip hop, and tap dance and has been a hiking tour guide in the New Haven Parks and Recreation Department’s Eco Camps.”
Previous Miss USA winners include Real Housewives of Atlanta Kenya Moore in 1993, Crystle Stewart in 2008 and Deshauna Barber in 2016.
