CROWNS MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC MS
Cher yl McDer mott
MISS JULY Photo by Revenge Face
CROWNS MAGAZINE A TOP PAGEANTRY AND FASHION M ONTHLY PUBLICATION SINCE FEBRUARY 2018
INSIDE JULY 2021 M ISS JULY P-2 ON THE COVER P-8 M ISS PETITE USA P-6-15 BEYOND THE BEAUTY P-18 IN THE SPOTLIGHT P-24
AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL AND PRINT SUBSCRIBE TODAY! WWW.CROWNSM AGAZINE.COM
ABIDING LIGHT M ODEL KATRYNA ALEXIS
Georgia Vaughan Photography
Jenna Rhodes
is the co-owner and Executive Director of the Petite USA Pageant. She has been involved in the pageant industry for over 10 years, both as a competitor and director. Jenna received her Bachelor ?s Degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas and was an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Upon graduation, she returned to her home state of Wisconsin to join in her family business. In 2018, Jenna and her brother purchased a branch of the business, where she now serves as President and CEO. Jenna loves the challenges her career brings and the various people she is able to meet and interact with on a daily basis. Jenna has a strong passion for business and entrepreneurship, and enjoys challenging herself with new business and personal growth ideas which led to her involvement in the pageant industry. In 2011, Jenna decided to get involved in pageantry, starting with local pageants and eventually becoming Miss Wisconsin United States in 2016. After competing nationally and observing how ?short? she appeared next to the other contestants, Jenna started researching pageants for petite women and came across the ?Petite USA? pageant. Jenna went on to win the national title of Miss Petite USA 2017 and international title of Miss Universal Petite 2018. After the conclusion of her reign, Jenna and her husband Jordan were afforded the opportunity to purchase the Petite USA pageant from founder and international director Hazely Lopez. Jenna and Jordan held their first national pageant in March of 2021 and welcomed over 120 contestants to Milwaukee, WI while celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Petite USA Pageant. Jenna is passionate about being a petite woman and loves being able to provide other petite women the opportunity to inspire, empower, and serve others. Jenna encourages all of her titleholders to remember height does not define one?s ability, or potential in any dream or goal they may have, after all, "It's not the Height, It's the Depth".
The Petite USA Pageant
was
founded in 2009 by Hazely Lopez-Alvarez with a vision to empower and celebrate petite beauty, 5'6? or less. The USA Petite pageant focuses on celebrating the accomplishments of petite women and provides them opportunity to be a voice and spokesmodel for petite women around the United States. Petite USA is the official United States preliminary to the Miss Universal Petite pageant. The winners in both our Miss and Teen divisions will represent the USA at Universal Petite. These two ladies will compete against petite women from all over the world for the coveted titles of, Miss Universal Petite and Teen Universal Petite. With a vision of serving, Petite USA is more than just a pageant. The Petite USA family is a sisterhood that embraces healthy competition and a heart to serve others through our leadership and outreach. Each contestant is asked to champion a "personal platform" that is near and dear to her heart to encourage leadership, community service, and kindness. Our areas of competition include swimsuit, evening gown, judge interview, and on-stage question. We are looking for poised, graceful, and passionate ladies that understand that their height is no limitation to fulfilling their dreams. Brittany Link Photography
COVERNANCYNGUYENLILES
ONTHE
MRS.PETITEUSA- NANCYNGUYENLILES Nancy Nguyen Liles serves as a mom of two toddler girls, Fire Captain?s wife, and first-generation American trilingual entrepreneur. She has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Inc.com and will work during her reign ?Connecting Women to Entrepreneurship? through her C.R.O.W.N. Method. After earning her B.A. in Spanish at N.C. State University and studying in Peru, Nancy established her career in Chicago while earning her M.B.A. in Leadership from DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She worked two baseball seasons for the Chicago White Sox and later for the City of Chicago?s Department of Human Resources. After returning to Raleigh, NC, she married a firefighter. The two Raleigh natives rode the same school buses from elementary to high school but didn?t know each other then. She has rebranded her mom?s salon and now owns Sweet T Salon. Her Amazon Best Seller book ?Job Hunting? is called The Networking Diary and has helped hundreds globally gain confidence to succeed in business. Nancy?s ?Business + Beauty? podcast show highlights the entrepreneurial success of Queens. Her topics aim to help aspiring entrepreneurs up-level their confidence, leadership, and networking. Being born in a Filipino refugee camp after the Vietnam War, overcoming the challenges of poverty and non-English speaking parents, to serving as Mrs. Petite USA 2021 is a dream come true. Although her war-torn parents arrived in North Carolina with nothing and no education, they succeeded as entrepreneurs working as a diesel mechanic and cosmetologist. As Mrs. Petite USA 2021, Nancy will use her reign to help others achieve their American Dream too through virtual retreats using the C.R.O.W.N. method which stands for Confidence Resources Opportunities Winning Mindset Networking Brittany Link Photography
TEENPETITEUSA- MELANIEJUAREZ
Melanie Juarez is a Junior at the University of South Carolina Upstate Scholars Academy. During her free time, she enjoys reading, journaling, calligraphy, modeling, and pageantry! Melanie has been doing pageantry for almost ten years and finds pageants are a great way for young girls to learn self-confidence. In addition to pageantry, Melanie has been doing modeling for ten years! From runways to print, Melanie has been to New York Fashion Week, Greenville Fashion Week, and has been on the multiple covers of SU Magazine. Alongside her many years in pageantry and modeling, Melanie also loves participating in a multitude of community service activities. She founded and established a nonprofit organization called Girls Empower Girls, which helps her spread the message of women empowerment and advocate mental health awareness. Due to her own struggles with mental health, Melanie understands how helpful it is to truly put forth the discussion on mental health and to have someone make a positive impact in your life. She wants to be able to make a change and help others, and hopes that her desire will inspire others to do the same! Melanie is also a South Carolina Student Representative of Be Strong. Be Strong is a nonprofit organization empowering youth to prevent bullying, isolation, and suicide by creating a change through student-led approaches. Her dedication to community service has helped her become a Presidential Gold Community Service Award Recipient over many years. Melanie plans to go into International Marketing to become an International Consumer Marketing Director and travel around the world! As Teen Petite USA 2021, Melanie strives to expand her organization and become a leader and rode model for other petite girls! Brittany Link Photography
MISSPETITEUSA- LINDSEYMAZZEO
Lindsey Mazzeo, Miss Petite USA 2021, is a fashion merchandising student and preschool assistant teacher. She plans to use both of these careers in a way that uplifts others while helping them build the confidence to chase their dreams. She is the founder of her platform, More Than Fashion, which uses fundraising efforts to provide women in need with essential clothing items and confidence coaching. This year, Lindsey will be working to expand the impact of her platform and promote self love across the country! Lindsey dreams big and is currently publishing a children?s book and designing her own fashion brand. Growing up, losing her mother, and being raised by a single father, Lindsey learned the importance of the influence pageant titleholders have as they were who she looked to as female role models in her life. Lindsey loves pageantry because she believes it is one of the most affective ways to help women reach their fullest potential! Brittany Link Photography
MS.PETITEUSA- CATHERINEBANDSTRA
Catherine Bandstra was born and raised in Suburbs of Denver Colorado and has been a lifelong avid outdoorsman. At the age of 20 Catherine enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an Intelligence Specialist stationed at both New River Air Station, NC and Camp Smith, HI. During this time Catherine served a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2013 and uncovered a passion to advocate for positive changes in mental health care for military member, pushing her to her BA of Psychology from American Military University. Now a graduate student, Catherine is pursuing a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy emphasizing in Military Therapy while working full time in the automotive industry as a licensed dealer. Other passions have led Catherine to attain personal trainer certifications, coach dance & gymnastics, studies in Korean, carpentry, knife throwing, and volunteering in her community with Soul Dog Rescue, Colorado Veteran?s Project, Houses for Warriors, and the Ronald McDonald House. Her platform, I SEE YOU, promotes holistic well-being, community resources, and recognizes every individual and community with unique discourses and needs. Mother to a 6-year-old girl, her life full of glitter, giggles, and a whole lot of coffee. Brittany Link Photography
Mrs. Massachusetts America
BEAUTY
BEYONDTHE
Kim Gentry Meyer ,
Mrs. Massachusetts America is a professional fundraiser for the past twenty years and has raised over $15 million for nonprofits. Her platform, fundraising for hope, seeks to provide resources for the most pressing social issues of our time. She serves in the role of volunteer national fundraising committee chair for Victoria?s Voice Foundation, where she is leading national team of title holders to raise money for opioid abuse prevention education in our nation?s schools. Kim harnesses her ability to make a difference in her community by prompting innovative ways to better people and animals?lives. Kim and her husband Adam have rescued over 100 dogs and are passionate about dog and cat welfare and serves on the board of Sweet Paws Rescue in Massachusetts. She?s actively looks for ways to support animal rescue initiatives and promote animal branded businesses. To add to her already impressive resume, Kim is also an award-winning singer/songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, and a worship leader at her local church. Her music journey has led her to winning her first award-winning song, ?How I Wanna Be?. It showcased at the Bluebird Café, Woodyfest and SXSW. Her most recent 2021 song ?We Surrender to Love? gives the listener a chance to really reflect on their relationship with God. Her mission it to share a positive message of hope, faith, and encouragement. Finally, Kim is a leader who is dedicated to the greater good of all. She?s an inspiration and appreciated by her community and those who have encountered her.
Tell us about yourself I am Lolisa Torbert, Mrs. Florida US Continental 2021-2022. I am an empowered wife, mother, professional, friend, and so much more! I strive to be a blessing to others, and believe in highlighting the sparkle in all women.
Tell us about your platform During my final year in my undergraduate studies at the University of Miami, my father passed away due to complications from Hemophilia A which led to cancer; which ultimately took his life. My sister passed away one year later due to heart failure which also led to cancer; which ultimately took her life too. For years I would put on a presentable face on the outside, however, on the inside I was numb and felt like giving up each and every day. If it were not for random acts of kindness by individuals I knew and strangers, I would not be here today. That?s why my platform C.R.O.W.N.365 means the world to me. We all have a responsibility to Care Regardless Of Who Notices 365 days a year. If you can support someone in some way, do it. Even if it?s something as simple as a smile, do it. Care for others because you never know when you might need someone to care for you.
Tell us about your service/volunteer projects
Mrs. Florida US Continental America Lolisa Torbert Throughout life, I have always put forth my best efforts to be a role model and encourage others to look beyond what they think they are capable of, and motivate them to strive to exceed their own expectations. I realize that certain values and morals need to be omnipresent in all individuals, especially those who work directly with people. Through hard work and faith, I am blessed with an education from the University of Miami earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications (2012). As an advocate for education, I have affected many students by helping them build a strong foundation for success along their educational journey which enhances the attributes that are required for their daily lives. Education is an investment where responsibility is placed on the educator to actively engage students in the learning experience. I have learned the skills that I have acquired as a math instructor and pre-admissions advisor can contribute to all workplaces. Through excellent time management skills, the ability to multi-task in an efficient manner, the interpersonal skills required to communicate with stakeholders, and the ability to act in a goal-oriented mindset under deadlines contribute to who I am as an individual
In 2019, my husband and I welcomed an adventurous baby boy into our family. He would be born with a bleeding disorder called, Hemophilia A. You can imagine discovering that my son has the same medical issue that preceded my father ?s death was a lot to handle. It?s hard to be a mom and even harder to be a mom of child that has a medical condition. The Florida Hemophilia Association provides families like mine with educational and medical resources, funding for research, social-emotional connections for care takers, lobbying for individuals with bleeding disorders, and so much more. I am proud to be an ambassador for the organization and captain of Team Princeton of the Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk since his birth in 2019 where we have raised resources for the cause. 1 and 5000 male births result in hemophilia a year, so it?s not well known to the masses. I hope to bring awareness to bleeding disorders in our nation; continue to participate in conferences, workshops, fundraising, lobbying, and create a better world for those living with the disorder. You can find more information at www.floridahemophilia.org
Why pageantry? I first began competing in scholarship pageants in college. It?s no secret that obtaining a higher education is expensive. Beyond my academic scholarship, there was a need to cover other costs associated with obtaining an education. Pageantry contributed to helping me achieve my educational goals. Now, I simply love pageantry because it exemplifies women supporting women. It has allowed me to foster amazing friendships while serving my community and state. I am able to showcase the modern woman to my students and my daughter, Penelope. Women are no longer held captive as being simply one thing. I don?t fit into a box, no woman does. We can do it all and be it all! Michael Jackson Photography
Mrs. Regency International Raliene Banks was born and raised on the island of Guam. She completed her degree from Dowling College, New York in just 3 ½ years, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Aeronautics and Applied Mathematics. In 2014, she was awarded a Master ?s in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. At age 24, she commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida followed by Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Raliene spent the past 13 years as an Air Force Pilot and has flown the C-17 transport jet, the remote RQ-4 reconnaissance aircraft, and the KC-135 aerial refueler.
SPOTLIGHT
INTHE
Raliene is no stranger to adversity. At a young age, she survived an abusive relationship, and in 2019, she developed Graves? Disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid and prohibits her from flying for the Air Force. She refused to let those challenges get her down and decided to transform her pain into purpose with pageantry. Raliene draws from personal experience to inspire others with her platform, ?Take Flight Today.? The purpose of ?Take Flight Today? is threefold: it empowers, promotes aviation, and educates others on how to promote resiliency within their communities. Raliene continues to serve on active duty in the Air Force and is stationed at the Pentagon. She currently resides in Washington DC with husband, Joshua and two cats. Together, Raliene and Joshua established Banks Property Team and manage multiple short and long-term rental properties. Raliene is passionate about promoting ?Take Flight Today? and would love to speak about it at your next event! To request an appearance, contact her via Instagram @ralienebanks or @mrsregencyintl. Tit les & Aw ar ds: -
-
-
-
Mrs. Johnston County America 2019 Top 10, Mrs. North Carolina America 2020 Advertisement Page Award, Mrs. North Carolina America 2020 Mrs. Guam Petite 2020 1st Runner Up, Mrs. USA Petite Ms. Arlington North America 2020 Winner, Ms. Virginia North America 2020 Best in Evening Gown Award 1st Runner Up, Ms. North America 2020 Best in Fitness Award Mrs. District of Columbia Regency International 2021 Winner, Mrs. Regency International 2021 Spokes Model Award Best in Everyday Wear Award Best in Swimwear Award Mrs. Regency International 2021
Miss National American Teen and Collegiate Young Miss Florida
Abiding Light Photography
Camille Buss is a proud 5th-grade student. She is a safety patrol and enjoys helping others in her school. Her favorite subjects are math and science and she is on the A Honor Roll. When she is not at school, Camille participates in USTA Tennis, Jr PGA Golf, Jacksonville Soccer Club Travel Soccer, River City Swimming, sailing, snow skiing, wakeboarding, running, and surfing. She is also an avid baker and would love to one day compete on the Kids Baking Championship. Camille?s favorite thing to do is travel. She has visited 27 countries, speaks 2 languages and has been on 6 of the 7 continents. Antarctica is on her bucket list! Camille raises money and awareness for ?K9s for Warriors,? her favorite local organization that trains, supports, and provides service dogs to US veterans in need. She is also very involved in ?Stay Gorgeous Girls? working to change the lives of young girls by building confidence, learning leadership skills, and personal care. One day, Camille would like to be a veterinarian working in animal conservation specializing in endangered species.
Miss National American Teen and Collegiate Jr Miss Florida Maris Norton
Abiding Light Photography
is an 11-year-old, sixth-grade honor student at Mayport Coastal Science Middle School in
Jacksonville, Florida. She was recently awarded the title of Jr Miss Florida and finished first runner up in the Miss National American Teen and Collegiate pageant. Maris enjoys doing community service that benefits the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS), a local non-profit that has been a leader in turning Jacksonville into the nation?s largest no kill city. Maris has done several blanket and towel collections in her neighborhood, she has raised money for the shelter, and has participated in a softball tournament that benefited JHS with food and money collections. Maris is also very active in sports. She has played softball for 7 years and the last 3 seasons she has played tournament level travel softball with River City Mayhem, as a 10u team they won seven tournament championship rings. She is also a competitive swimmer, every summer for the last 6 years she has been on a local swim team. This year she tried out and made her first cheer leading team and as a sixth grader will be a member of the Mayport Sharks Cheer squad. For fun Maris enjoys roller skating, riding bikes and scooters with friends, playing the guitar, painting and drawing, and dancing. She likes cooking for her family and just recently learned how to make her favorite food, sushi. When Maris is older, she wants to open her own day care business, because she loves teaching and playing with toddlers and babies.
AMERICAN PAGEANTS Junior Miss of Florida
Abiding Light Photography
Ashlynn Barr
from Green Cove Springs, FL is the 2021 Junior Miss of Florida. Her older sister, Taylor, is what most motivated her to start doing pageants. Ashlynn is currently a Junior at Clay High School. Growing up with Dyslexia, Ashlynn found her power as a voice and hands-on learner. She is a master carpenter, volleyball player, and musical extraordinaire. In the future, she plans to become a heavy equipment operator, but today she simply remains unstoppable. Ashlynn?s philosophy is ?never be stopped by what you can?t do; instead, be empowered by what you can do.?