VINEMONT, Ala. — Junior Makenna Howard will represent Vinemont in the Fair Queen pageant this October. She has been competing in pageants ever since she was little, and the things that she learned from her previous competitions have helped her so much this time around. She talked about what the process was like going into the pageant in February.
“Re-watching my old pageant videos helped me correct my walk this year. Definitely fixing my posture in certain dresses and walking slower than I did in previous pageants helped me score better this year,” Howard said. “For the past two months or so, I’ve been working extremely hard for my title. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and researching about my platform, going to my talent lessons an hour away, and having pre-interview sessions at 9:30 at night. It’s not as easy as people think. I’m extremely grateful I was given the opportunity.”
Makenna was nervous going into the pageant, but she had a lot of help from some great friends. She talked about her talent and the new friendships that she made during the pageant.
“It was extremely supportive. I had a lot of stress going into that night, and the girls backstage with me, along with the other contestants, never once failed to cheer me on, and lift my spirit up,” Howard said. “My talent was clogging. It’s similar to tap dance, but you’re using your toes more than both toes and heels. I definitely made new friendships during the pageant.”
Makenna reflected on her reaction and everyone else’s reaction when they first announced that she would be the Fair Queen representative.
“I felt a lot of love. The Vinemont community is very strong and supportive. I truly believe that everyone was happy for me,” she said. “My most memorable moment from the pageant was when I was running out of the locker room to make it back on stage in time to be crowned. Everyone saw my shadow behind the curtain sprinting to the floor. It gave a lot of comedic relief,” Howard laughed. “I learned to be myself. I have learned that, when putting myself out on a stage, people are going to have different opinions of me, even if they don’t know me as a person. You can’t make everyone happy, and you can’t risk your own happiness being someone you aren’t just to make others happy. I’ve learned that I’m a confident and kind role model who can be unapologetically me.”
She talked about why her platform, Ability in all Disability, is so important to her.
“I want to spread awareness of how all businesses, establishments, and even social media platforms need to be compliant with the Americans Disabilities Act. The ADA is a law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. I want to share how there’s still multiple places that don’t have accommodations for disabled people like they should. Even public-school systems are failing and not having the resources for disabled kids. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and have all the same opportunities.”
Makenna can’t wait to represent Vinemont in the upcoming Fair Queen pageant in October. She wants to use her platform to be a role model for the younger girls watching her perform.
“Vinemont hasn’t had a representative win the Cullman County Fair Queen Pageant in a long time, and I’m going to work my hardest to be the next. I want to be the best example of what’s it like to be a student at Vinemont High and be the best representation of my school. I’m beyond proud to be trusted with this title,” she said. “It was a very good feeling, from the random waves I would get, to getting so many compliments. One of the girls I give private lessons to came and got to watch and take a picture with me. It was very fulfilling, knowing little girls look up to me.”
Howard added,
“I give all the glory to God. I would not be where I am right now if Christ didn’t give me the opportunities. I want to be not just a good role model, but also, a Godly role model. I want to share how God has helped me get to where I am today and give me the power of my voice to speak up for the ones who can’t for themselves.”
Makenna talked about a role model she looks up to and shared her favorite Bible verse.
“My Godly role model is my mom. She never fails to assure me how beautifully and wonderfully made I am in God’s image. I have been taught how to not only love myself, but others as God’s creations. I have always been taught to pray and lay my weaknesses and the heaviness of my heart at Christ’s feet, and I will blossom. The more I do through God, the more love I feel. I’m blessed to have had a Godly environment growing up,” she said. “Philippians 4:13 is my favorite. It not only gives me strength in the pageant world, but also the cheer world. During competition season, I wear that verse on the side of my cheer shoe.”
Howard shared some advice with girls who want to compete in pageants themselves.
“Do it. It’s truly not as bad of an experience as you would think. It’s such a great experience to become more confident in yourself as a person. I’ve made good friendships, and I’ve met so many kind people through the pageant world. Be yourself and do it to have fun. It’s so worth it,” she said. “I want them to remember how I hold myself up. So many teens struggle with confidence and being themselves. I want to be able to show people that being yourself is the best thing to do. Be confident and sure of everything you do. I also hope people see the true passion I have. I hope I’m seen as a passionate advocate for all equal rights to everyone.”
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