WV Miss Amazing: Building confidence in girls and women with disabilities
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) – Miss Amazing gives girls and women with disabilities the time to shine while at the same time building their self-esteem and helping carve out a future for themselves.
Often times, the millions of Americans who have a disability might be left behind in physical and social activities, according to research . And for women with disabilities, it can be felt more, with higher chances for low self-esteem.
"I want every girl to know that your disability shouldn't stop you, 'cause you're just perfect the way you are," said Carrie Davis, ambassador and Miss Amazing WV in the Mentor category.
Davis has been a part of the Miss Amazing WV chapter for more than two years and in that time, has represented West Virginia at the national event in Chicago and become a mentor for the next generation of participants.
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Miss Amazing itself is not a pageant but an event inspired by pageantry, according to officials. All participants are paired up with a buddy, who supports and guides them throughout the big day, which includes hair and makeup, interview with judges, and the final presentation of their craft and service project.
It is free to enter the event, but participants must provide an official qualifying document for proof of disability in order to be eligible. There are various categories, but girls from the age of five and up are welcomed.
"My favorite part of this is getting to advocate for the people who have disabilities all over the country," said Reagan Nichols, the National Miss Teen Amazing of 2023, who is in college majoring in elementary education with a minor in special education.
"This title has helped me get a glimpse on just that there's a much bigger world other than what the eye can see," added Nichols.
Miss Amazing doesn't just inspire its queens but has also changed the lives of their families, like mom and daughter duo, Nancy Yost and Haley Barnhart who is non-verbal.
"I think its brought us much closer—much, much, closer, and I'm glad that we're able to get the awareness more in not only our community but the whole state,"
Yost said she recommends families take part in the event, saying, "Just go for it, it doesn't matter if they can talk, if they can't talk, because I'm her voice, so I say go for it, don't let the disabilities stop you in any way."
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WV Miss Amazing Committee member, Meredith Queen said there will be 30 participants from across the state at this year's event. The organization is actively working on having each county represented. This is the fourth year of the Miss Amazing WV chapter.
Each chapter has an Amplify event either in the fall or spring—West Virginia's does it in the fall, where the queens from each category are chosen and then get to represent West Virginia on the big stage in Chicago in July at the National Miss Amazing Summit.
"Once they take their crown, it's sort of up to them. So we as the state organization give them a percentage to sort of try to get them started, that sort of thing, you know, help cover some of their entry costs and things like that. But it's really a lot of them advocating for themselves, and that's what the organization is really all about, is creating that confidence and that self-esteem, and having that advocating component to it as well. So they're out there, they're the ones you know, talking to businesses and organizations, community leaders, that sort of thing to help raise that money for themselves to go on to nationals," Queen said.
Local organizations also help sponsor the event. Queen added the organization is always in need of volunteers to help set up events and to be "buddies" for the participants.
"Being a mentor to all the girls was just amazing, we became family," said Davis.
Although the event is inspired by pageantry, everyone gets a sash, crown, and a trophy, as these young girls and women build a sisterhood of support.
"The crown doesn't make you amazing, you make yourself amazing," said Nichols.
The Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center will be hosting the 2025 West Virginia Amplify event on October 12 at 3 p.m. where the next Miss Amazing West Virginia Queens will be chosen. For tickets you can go here . And for more information on Miss Amazing, you can go here .
