Pillow Academy student Hallie Bryant is in Little Rock, Arkansas, this week to compete for the title of Miss Junior High School America.
The 13-year-old holds the title of Miss Mississippi Junior High School America, a qualifying pageant that she won on Aug. 5, 2016.
“I’m really excited,” Hallie said. “It’s awesome to be able to compete in this pageant, because so many people dream about doing what I’m about to do. And who knows? I might come back home with the Miss Junior High America title.”
Hallie is the daughter of William and Debbie Bryant of Greenwood. She is the granddaughter of Albert and Mavis Shoffner of Greenville and Bill and Bette Bryant of Fairview, Tennessee.
An incoming eighth-grader at Pillow, she is an honor student and member of the soccer team. She is a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, where she is involved in the youth group and choir and also serves as a soloist.
Preliminary competitions will begin on Friday, and finals and the crowning of Miss Junior High School America will be held on Saturday.
“This is our first time at a national pageant, and we have no idea what to expect,” said Hallie’s mother, Debbie. “If she gets in the Top 10, that would be a wonderful accomplishment. Of course, we’re in it to win.”
The Miss High School America Scholarship Pageant Organization was started in 2009 to providing personal and professional opportunities for young women. It includes not only the Miss Junior High School America title but also the titles of Miss High School America and Miss Collegiate America. The organization’s goal is to give outstanding junior high, high school and collegiate girls the opportunity to compete in a prestigious national-level scholarship pageant.
The pageant organization has awarded more than $170,000 in cash scholarships to its national winners over the last seven years. National winners receive a prize package totaling more than $50,000 in scholarships, travel, wardrobe, photo shoots and prizes each year.
“It’s unbelievable the scholarships and the awards with this pageant,” said Debbie.
Hallie will compete against 49 other girls from across the nation in her division in the categories of panel interview, fashion runway and evening gown. If she makes it to the top five, Hallie will have to answer an on-stage question.
The contestants will also perform an opening dance routine, which they learn during the week.
Hallie has been taking lessons with her pageant coach, Sandra Strain of Madison, and participating in mock interviews. She even helped create the evening gown she will wear this week with designer Tony Bowls.
“It’s been a busy year,” Hallie said. “It’s been really, really fun. I’ve learned a lot and met a lot of people.”
Hallie competed in the Miss Mississippi Junior High School America pageant as Miss Leflore County. At the state competition, she received the top overall score and top scores in the fashion runway, evening gown and interview categories. She also was named Most Photogenic and selected by the other pageant contestants as Miss Congeniality.
Since winning the state title, she has traveled throughout Mississippi to make appearances, such as grand openings, fashion shows and speaking events.
She has attended several of the appearances with the state high school and collegiate winners, who will also compete for national titles this week.
“That’s fun when the three of them — junior high, high school and collegiate — can be together,” said Debbie. “They’ve become pageant sisters.”
Hallie said what she has enjoyed most about being Miss Mississippi Junior High School America is speaking to children at hospitals.
“I want to be a pediatric cardiologist, so going to hospitals has been my favorite thing,” she said.
When she speaks at events, she talks about the Miss Mississippi Junior High School America pageant’s anti-bullying platform BRAVE, or Building Respect and Values for Everyone.
She said the children usually ask her questions. She is always prepared to answer questions about anti-bullying, although sometimes what she is asked about isn’t on the subject of her presentation.
“The kids will always ask her about her crown or her banner, and we’ve gotten tickled over that,” said Debbie.
Hallie’s mother said that the Bryant family is very proud of her, especially of the way she has stayed grounded after winning a state pageant title.
“She’s handled this with such grace and poise,” Debbie said. “That to me has been the most pleasant thing and a joy to see, because there are so many kids who might let that title go to their heads. She doesn’t brag about it, and she is very modest.”
Hallie is being sponsored at the Miss Junior High America pageant by Bo and Janet Prestidge of Wildlife Inc., Vernon Ricks of Top Dog Powersports, Beverly Hackleman of Magnolia Home Center, Ricky and Debbie Belk of Adron Farms, Jim Thomas and Pam Collins of Egypt Plantation, Jerry and Sandra Galey of J&M Farms Inc., Mark Kimmel of Dixie Dusters Inc., Clint Travis and Dwight Dunn of Dunn Farms and The Alluvian hotel.
For more information about the pageant or for updates, visit www.americashighschoolpageant.com or www.Facebook.com/MissJuniorHighSchoolAmericaPageant.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
