A new Miss Teen USA was officially crowned this week.
Kaliegh Garris representing Connecticut exhibited the grace, charm and beauty to earn her the coveted title, but there was something else that was special about her win.
A new Miss Teen USA was officially crowned this week.
Kaliegh Garris representing Connecticut exhibited the grace, charm and beauty to earn her the coveted title, but there was something else that was special about her win.
The newly-crowned Miss Teen USA is enrolled in 2- yes I said 2- schools.
When she's not attending Joseph A. Foran High School and the Educational Center for the Arts where she majors in theater, she's performing as a competitive dancer.
The New Haven, CT native is skilled in contemporary, jazz, pointe, hip hop and tap dancing.
This beauty queen isn't just a pretty face. Kaliegh is passionate about the movement she started in honor of her older sister who has multiple disabilities.
She was also recognized for her work by the Department of Disabled Services recently.
On April 28th, Kaliegh graced the Miss Teen USA pageant stage, and won while wearing a head full of her own naturally beautiful curls.
"I finger curled every single piece of my hair in the shower, which led to a very long shower, but it was for the greater good."
Kaliegh told R29 that she had been getting chemical relaxers since the age of 6 and said, "I would also straighten it every day because my friends had straight, 'pretty' hair."
It wasn't until a friend in art school encouraged her that she decided to chop off her relaxed hair and go au natural.
Negative Nancys tried to discourage Kaliegh from wearing her curls saying that she "looked better" with straight hair.
They also said, " You should put in extensions and straighten your natural hair."
PSA: What grows out of your own scalp is beautiful!
"As Miss Connecticut Teen USA, there are girls who would look at me in awe because they've always had the image of straight hair in pageants," she says. "Being able to spread the message of diversity, being yourself, and being confident in your curly, natural hair is something that I'm really looking forward to with my new national title."
We're looking forward to it too!
"Congratulations queen! Thank you for being unapologetically you and showing us all that we can do what we want and be who we want," commented one Instagram user.
Another commented on the importance of the moment for her toddler, saying, "My 4 year old 'lit up' when she saw the video clip of you being crowned , she immediately smiled and said: 'She looks like me!!'