As young girls, my friends and I, along with our mothers and the wider community, eagerly anticipated the annual town beauty pageant. This special event was one of the year's highlights, providing cherished moments spent together with our mothers. Even today, I can vividly recall the names of many contestants; despite not knowing them beforehand - we all became familiar with them by the time a queen was crowned. These joyful community celebrations of beauty and womanhood have left an indelible impression on our minds.
At the age of 16, I was selected to represent our town in the Miss Teen USA California pageant in Fresno. This honor was a tremendous one, and I embarked on the journey of preparing for the Miss California USA competition. During that training period, I gained invaluable insights that have continued to resonate with me and greatly impacted my life. Although I did not win the title, the experience taught me essential qualities that would last a lifetime. This formative journey is one I have shared with my daughter, Emma, and she too has had her own pageant experience that has been transformative in her life. It is not surprising then that as an adult, I decided to carry on this tradition by creating a platform for young women in my community to have similar life-changing experiences. In designing the Miss Teen Chico Pageant, I aimed to capture the essence of what I cherished about the community pageants of my youth - the camaraderie, the celebration of womanhood, and the opportunity for young women to tap into who they are and discover themselves, their capabilities, to help them develop vital leadership skills and hone in on their talents. Through this process, we can inspire and empower the next generation of women in our community. The Miss Chico Pageant provides a unique platform for young women. In addition to the traditional areas of evening gown, fitness, and interview, contestants also attend the Forever A Queen Academy to foster personal growth and engage in meaningful community service. By incorporating this community engagement component, the pageant aims to cultivate a deeper sense of civic responsibility and leadership among the participants. Furthermore, the pageant emphasizes the importance of well-rounded individuals, with categories that help develop public speaking skills, personal interview abilities, and confidence. Ultimately, the Miss Chico Pageant is about much more than physical beauty. It is a celebration of the multifaceted nature of womanhood, encompassing intellect, talent, and a commitment to positively impacting the community. Through this local event, young women are empowered to embrace their unique strengths, find their voices, and make a difference in the world around them.
FOUNDER- FOREVER A QUEEN
Lora Shipley
Click here to read a brief Bio
(below me at 16 at
Miss Teen California, Fresno.)
