Taking the tiara

Eyes forward, back straight, smiles on. The contestants adjust their dresses and walk into the bright lights to await the results of the Miss Allen Outstanding Teen pageant.

There are a variety of ways students can get involved in the community to make an impact. But it isn’t often that you hear of someone making a positive difference in heels and a tiara.

Junior Ashlee Gilchrist is the current titleholder of Miss Allen Outstanding Teen, a pageant program for girls 13 to 17. This program, according to Gilchrist, has helped her in her desire to make a positive impact in our community and others.

“I really didn’t expect to win, especially because some of the other contestants had a lot more experience than I did,” Gilchrist said. “I was really flattered.”

The Miss America organization is the largest scholarship opportunity program for women in the country, opening Gilchrist up to future college options.

“We do openings for local businesses in the area, we go to children’s hospitals, we do Special Olympics and I also read to kids at TCU sometimes,” Gilchrist said.

The Miss Allen Outstanding Teen program encourages titleholders and rewards talent, communication skills, community service and academic achievement.

Gilchrist said she hopes that the organization continues to grow after her and that future Miss Allen Teens will make a positive impact.

“My favorite thing about living in Allen is that the whole community is behind the school,” Gilchrist said. “A lot of titleholders don’t live in the city that they represent, so I feel really blessed to be a part of the town I’m representing.”