Oxford, Miss.—Oxford has always been known for its plethora of pretty girls, and here’s another proof that the tradition carries on.
Oxford’s own Kaitlyn Kennedy was recently crowned Miss Junior Teen Princess America at the National Princess America Pageant in Orlando, Florida. Kennedy, a rising eighth grader at Oxford Middle School, represented the state of Mississippi as Mississippi Junior Teen in the Princess America National Pageant on Saturday, July 27th.
Created in 1994, Princess America Pageants are not the traditional “poofy” dresses and pigtails type pageant. Their reputation as a cutting edge, fashion forward, self-expressive, trendy pageant moves pageants into the new millennium.
Kennedy competed against contestants from across the country in four different categories—interview, personal expression, fitness wear, and evening gown—in the Princess America’s National Junior Teen division, a competition for young ladies between 13 and 15 years of age.
Leading up to the competition, Kennedy raised money for Give Kids the World, Princess America’s national charity. During the course of the week, Kennedy had the opportunity to visit The Village at Give Kids the World and to gain a greater understanding of the charity and all that it offers. As the reigning titleholder, she will continue to raise money and awareness for Give Kids the World as well as her favorite local charity, the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society.
Along with the National title, Kennedy also won the National Publicity Award, the Community Service Award, the You Make a Difference Award, and the Deanna Meredith Photography T-shirt design runway competition.
On her experience at the pageant, Kennedy said, “My week at the Princess America pageant was filled with many wonderful experiences. Not only did I gain a new family in my sister queens, I made some wonderful new friends. Visiting Give Kids the World was an amazing experience. Being able to make a child’s day is an indescribable feeling. I went to the pageant with no expectations but came home with a title and memories to last a lifetime.”
At Oxford Middle School Kennedy is a member of the Jr. Beta Club, Cheerleading Squad, and Volleyball team, as well as a member of the Oxford Cheer All-Stars Competitive Squad. She is a member of North Oxford Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Andy and Kimber Kennedy and the granddaughter of Frank and Mary Kennedy of Louisville, Mississippi and Bob and Sherrill Williams of Raleigh, North Carolina.
