Melody is crowned 2024 National American Miss Pennsylvania Jr Preteen Queen.
by June Portnoy
Nine-year-old Melody Medina, a Yardley resident and 4th grader at Edgewood Elementary School, has accomplished a lot for someone her age. This past August she was crowned 2024 National American Miss Pennsylvania Jr Preteen Queen at the state pageant held at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
She received an official state crown, banner, and trophy, in addition to awards for winning the optional actress, runway, casual wear, and top model contests. She also received a special invitation to compete at the National Pageant being held during Thanksgiving week in Orlando, Florida.
The National American Miss Pageants are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year, the National American Miss Pageants awards 1.5 million dollars in cash, scholarships, and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide.
National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across our nation with a program that is designed to be age-appropriate and family-oriented. Pageants are held in each state for girls ages four to 24 in six different age divisions.
Melody emphasized that this is not a beauty pageant and that contestants 12 and under aren’t even allowed to wear makeup.
The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, presentation, and offers an “All American Spirit” of fun for family and friends.
Melody explained that the four requirements for these pageants include: community service; wearing formal wear while walking on stage with “the biggest smile ever”; a face to face interview with seven different judges who each ask one or two questions; and a personal 30 – 60 second introduction that includes each contestant’s name, home state, and fun facts such as future aspirations, hobbies, and volunteer experience.
Melody has been working hard adding to her resume of achievements.
She became a Girl Scout with Yardley Troop 274 and volunteered with her troop at Yardley Harvest Day this past September to do face painting, help children make sand art, and talk to other girls who were interested in joining Girl Scouts.
In addition, she has taken an active role fundraising for Four Diamonds Mini-THON, helping her sister Ariana, one of the leaders of Pennsbury High School’s Mini-THON. Proceeds raised by this school fundraiser will support some of the nation’s leading laboratory and clinical research programs to better prevent, diagnose, treat and cure childhood cancer.
“My mom is a cancer survivor so this cause is especially important to me,” noted Melody.
Melody helps kids make sand art during Yardley Harvest Day.
In addition to volunteering, Melody goes to dance school at Downstage Center in Morrisville three hours a week where she does jazz, tap, and ballet.
She recently auditioned and was accepted into NYLA Talent, a talent development and consulting space providing celebrity coaching and agency placement services for aspiring artists looking to enter the entertainment industry. Approximately only 10 out of 100 girls who audition are accepted. Melody aspires to become an actress someday.
In the little free time she has left, Melody works with two coaches to help her prepare for her upcoming national pageant.
Melody’s mother, Liliana Medina who will accompany her daughter to the upcoming nationals, described how participating in these pageants have been “an excellent opportunity for my daughter to grow, increase her confidence, meet some amazing people, and prepare for her future career.”
Liliana added that she and her husband, Leonardo, were born in the Dominican Republic before moving to this country, meaning Melody’s first language is Spanish. “By practicing for the national pageant, Melody has become more intentional when speaking, learning to think before she talks, and as a result, I’ve watched her speaking skills significantly improve.”
When asked for advice for other preteens who want to participate in pageants, Melody quickly responded, “Always follow your dreams.”