Local girl qualifies for national pageant

Kennedy Guarjuado will represent Comanche and the state of Oklahoma later this month when she competes in the National American Miss Pageant in Orlando.

The daughter of Bradley and Ashley Guarjuado qualified for the prestigious national pageant in October when she finished as third runner-up in the pre-teen division at the state competition.

Kennedy, the reigning Little Miss Stephens County, received a referral to participate at the National American Miss Oklahoma Pageant. She was invited to an open call/interview with 120 other girls in the 7 - 10 age range. They took the top 20 percent to compete in the state pageant. The competition consisted of interviews, public speaking and community service.

Out of the 25 girls competing, Kennedy, age 8, finished as third runner-up. She also received the Spirit of America Award for competing in five optional categories.

On Thanksgiving weekend, she will be competing against the top five winners from every other state for the title of All American Miss.

According to information from the National American Miss Pageant, the pageant “is a high-energy, age-appropriate, family-oriented program that helps girls develop empowering poise and self-confidence,” that will help them later in life in whatever the contestants choose to do.

Annually, the pageant gives more than $1.5 million through scholarships, prizes and awards.

The girls compete in five categories - community involvement (10%), interview (25%), personal introduction (25%), formal wear (25%) and resume (15%).