Congratulations to Virginia Beach Middle School student Axa Melannie Ibarra Castellanos, who was named 2015 Virginia Miss Amazing Junior Teen in the state pageant held at the Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Training Academy April 17-18. Kempsville Middle student Shelby Turner and Seatack Elementary student Rocio Cenobio also participated in this year’s pageant and were princesses in their respective categories.
According to the organization’s website, “the Miss Amazing Pageant is a program that gives girls and young women with disabilities the opportunity to build self-confidence in a supportive environment.” The pageant originated in Nebraska in 2012, and Virginia is one of 28 states hosting Miss Amazing pageants this year.
Castellanos earned the title of Virginia Miss Amazing Junior Teen after participating in a pageant service project, answering interview questions from judges and performing an interpretive dance as Tinkerbell in the talent portion of the competition. The state title qualifies her to compete in the national Miss Amazing Pageant held in Los Angeles, California July 24-25.
According to national pageant organizers, the 2015 Miss Amazing Pageant “will be the program’s largest celebration of abilities to date” because it will be hosted next to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games also held in Los Angeles July 25-Aug. 2.
Good luck to Castellanos as she represents Virginia in the national competition!