Nine-year-old Bailey Bonham was crowned Little Miss of America in Las Vegas on June 29.
“I was shocked,” Bonham said. “I could not believe it, really. I started crying and shaking. I was just overwhelmed with happiness.”
The world of pageants is not new to the incoming fifth-grade student at Lincoln Trail Elementary.
In 2021 she captured the Little Miss Fisher Fair Queen title before becoming Little Miss of Illinois in 2022.
Bonham’s decided to follow her sister, Mackenzie, onto the national stage.
“I saw how much fun she had being a national title holder, and I wanted to try something new,” Bonham said.
Mackenzie holds several titles, including 2022 Young Miss of America. For almost five years now, Mackenzie has championed the Shriner’s organization as part of her platform. While Bailey admired her sister’s work, she decided to talk about local food pantries as she prepared for her time in Las Vegas.
“I started gathering food for our local pantries and plan on hosting a food drive to deliver items to several local food pantries this fall,” Bailey said.
But the pageant was more than just talking about something each girl was passionate about. Bonham had to submit school transcripts and a community service resume alongside documents highlighting “Personal Development of Talents and Skills,” “Service and Achievements in School & Community,” and “Scholastic and Professional Record” to be considered.
“Once that paperwork was submitted (which is 60 % of the Youth division scores), I started prepping, which included working on my interview skills, two different 30-second speeches to deliver from memory, and working on my poise and presentation for the stage,” Bonham said.
Once in Las Vegas, Bonham had a busy week. She helped outgoing National title holders with service projects for their charities, interviewed with judges, had rehearsals and personal development session.
“I was so excited for the judges’ interview,” Bonham said. “I never had one before, and when I sat in my seat in front of four of the most amazing women, I just spoke from the heart. I told them all about me, and why food pantries are so important to me.”
She also enjoyed meeting the CEO of American Pageants, Sara Bazey, and Miss Colorado USA, Alexis Glover.
“One goal I had before getting to Las Vegas was to get to know the amazing contestants,” Bonham said. “I think it is safe to say I became friends with all my queen sisters, especially my new besties Scarlett the Little Miss of Wisconsin, and the 2022 Little Miss of America, Brooklyn. They were both SO sweet, and we had a lot of fun that week.”
But the confidence Bonham found will be something she will use to impact others moving forward.
“I have learned that I can achieve anything I set my mind to,” she said. “Going into this, I had no idea what to expect. I heard my sister tell me about her experience, but actually doing everything was completely different.
“Not only did I have to memorize two speeches and deliver them with no mistakes (which I did), I also had to an interview in front of four strangers. Luckily, I like to talk and meet people, so it was an easy task.
“One question that they asked me was, ‘Why do you want to be Little Miss of America?’ My answer was simple, I wanted to be Little Miss of America to bring awareness to the importance of food pantries and become a role model for young kids and kids my age. I want to show kids that we can volunteer and help in our communities too. “
The upcoming year will be busy as a member of the National Title Holder for American Pageants. Bonham will be required to bring awareness to the importance of food pantries while also championing Special Olympics.
“I plan on volunteering at a variety of Special Olympics events and the Polar Plunge,” she said.
