Paris Regan, a Three-Peat NAM Queen, shares her year as Miss Nevada Jr. Teen Queen 2013
“I believe in pink. I believe that
laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in being strong when everything
seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I
believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” – Audrey
Hepburn After
reading this quote, I laughed out loud and thought “I could have written that!”
and it’s my belief in these values that have made me a successful National
American Miss State Queen in 2006, 2010 and 2013, placed as a National Top 10 Finalist
in 2010, and I currently have the honor of being Third Runner Up at the
national competition this past year. My fabulous journey with National American
Miss began in 2005 and continues today…can you tell I love my NAMily?
After being crowned
Nevada’s Jr. Teen Queen in July, I wasted no time at all and brought donations
of school supplies to the Carson City Soroptimist. I enjoyed filling backpacks
with school supplies to be delivered to children in need so that they have the
opportunity for a successful school year.
In August it was an honor
to be an invited guest at the Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show on the majestic
shores of Lake Tahoe, which is an annual fundraising event dedicated to
protecting and restoring the health, clarity, sustainability and beauty of the
Lake Tahoe Basin. At this amazing fundraiser, I was fortunate to meet the
distinguished Oscar de la Renta and several admirable women, such as designer
Karen Caldwell and Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo.
Mrs.
Marissa Mayer was once quoted as saying, “I always did
something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When
there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push
through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” When I read this I
thought, “Holy cow, this quote reflects exactly how I feel about competing in pageants;
she’s absolutely right.” You only grow when you push yourself to do more than
you ever thought possible. After meeting so many successful people during my
reign, I am inspired to continue striving to be more than I ever dreamed
possible.
As a native Nevadan,
there are a few annual happenings I look forward to celebrating and one of
those events is Nevada Day. This beautiful fall day began bright and early by
enjoying breakfast with Governor Brian Sandoval, Senator Dean Heller and many
other state dignitaries. After breakfast, it was time for the Nevada Day
Parade, where I was joined with the other Nevada State Queens to proudly
represent National American Miss in the parade in our State Capital. It was a fantastic
occasion to meet with so many people in my community. 
In November, I had the
wonderful opportunity to honor those who have served and who are currently
serving our country in the Veteran’s Day Parade, which traveled through the
streets of downtown Reno, Nevada.
Soon I was on my way to Anaheim,
California to compete in the National Pageant and to see Mickey Mouse; however,
I’m always most excited to see my
NAMily! On the night we arrived many of the state queens, I’ve come to love and
adore, from all over the United States enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. I
was so excited that I only ate dessert. The week at the national pageant was
full of parties, competitions, and fun; but mostly, I just enjoyed spending
time with the people I love and I didn’t worry too much about the actual
pageant competition. As the big night played out, I was thrilled to receive
first runner up for the Miss Personality Award: a prize voted on by my fellow
queen competitors. Next, I was called as a top 10 finalist. When I heard my
name called again for top 5, it suddenly became a dream come true. I was
blessed to be 3rd runner up at Nationals. The most important thing I
returned home with from the national pageant wasn’t a trophy, crown, banner or
Mickey Mouse ears, but the friendship and love of all the state queens I got to
share this incredible week with, many of which I have known for nearly ten
years.
No sooner did I return
home from the national pageant and it was time for me to film a public service
announcement educating the hearing impaired community about a life saving
device that alerts a deaf person when there is an emergency. As a second year
Sign Language student, I was able to use my Sign Language skills in the
commercial. Educating my community about
safety has been very dear to my heart since the age of 5, and it’s wonderful to
be able to assist the deaf community in the event of an emergency.
My
year has been full of public appearances, community service, fundraising, NAM
workshops, parades and fashion shows. Because of NAM I have gained
self-assurance, poise and communication skills, and now: no matter what life
challenges I face; I have the ability and determination to accomplish
anything. If I can dream it, I can do
it!
I
will never be able to thank Ken, Lani and Breanne, along with Steve and Kathleen
and the entire NAM staff enough, for everything they have done for me and for
helping so many young ladies throughout the United States grow in confidence. I
honestly would not be half the person I have grown to be without all that I’ve
learned from National American Miss. Thanks to NAM, I now have my sister queens
all over the nation and I have enjoyed every moment we have shared together.
So
what are you waiting for? Set extremely high goals for yourself and go for it!
I am fortunate to have been blessed with this amazing
opportunity that makes saying farewell so very difficult. You haven’t seen the
last of me!
I
am your Miss Nevada Jr. Teen Queen 2013,
Paris
Regan