With new crown and title, CG girl is eager to encourage others

Layla, a seventh grader at Cactus Middle School, recently won the title of National All-American Miss City Queen.

Monday, wearing her purple competition dress emblazoned with sparkling silver accents, Layla and her mom, Kiamesha Guy, visited several spots in Casa Grande, including City Hall and the Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

She also held a meet-and-greet event Monday in the Neon Sign Park and another one Wednesday afternoon at Revolution Cheer Company.

“By being out there and meeting people, I hope to inspire others to stay positive,” she said. “I also hope to inspire others to participate in pageants.”

Layla has been participating in pageants for three years, beginning at age 9.

Last year, for the first time, after winning the runner-up spot in the state competition, she traveled on to national competition in Orlando, Florida, bringing home her current title in November.

“I was nervous at the competition, especially during the one-on-one interview with the judges,” she said. “But I had practiced with my mom and dad.”

She said the National American Miss competition is all about self-confidence.

“In the pageant, you have to be able to present yourself,” she said. “Girls have to have good grades, confidence and volunteer activities. They have to be well rounded.”

Competition includes three events: a formal wear show, a one-on-one interview with each judge and a 30-second personal introduction.

For the formal wear event, Layla wore her tailored sleeveless purple dress with silver accents.

“I feel the design of this dress represents how I feel on the inside and represents who I am,” she said. “I feel like a role model and a princess when I wear this dress.”

Layla has two ultimate career goals — becoming a baker and a fashion critic — and believes competing in pageants will help her achieve her dreams.

“I feel that participating in pageants will help me when I’m an adult because it’s teaching me to have a voice and to be able to talk to people,” Layla said. “The National American Miss competition isn’t a beauty pageant. The girls aren’t trying to be the next Honey Boo Boo. It’s about learning to be more confident and good role models.”

She started participating in pageants because she was curious about the competitions. Once she started, she said she realized they were fun and were helping her to develop poise and confidence.

“Once I realized that pageants was something that I wanted to do, I just kept on competing. I have made many friends during pageants and I intend to make new ones,” she said. “I’ve also encouraged some of my friends to compete in pageants.”

Layla is a competitive cheerleader who volunteers her time helping younger children at her gym. She also helps out with the MASH Unit food distribution events when she can.

While she won her title in competition in November, the winning tiara and sash were recently delivered to her. Now that she has them, she plans to host regular meet-and-greet events.