Enjoy Our Positive Y.A.M.I. Testimonials
Jenna Kusch
*MINNESOTA*
2011-2012
Young American Little Miss International
Hi! My name is Jenna Kusch and I am your 2011-2012 Young American Little Miss. I first participated in Y.A.M.I at the Midwest Pageant in April 2011. I did not win, but that did not stop me. I signed up for Y.A.M.I. at nationals and WON! I don’t know who was more surprised, my mom or me! But I got a national title which is something I have dreamed of!
During my reign as Young American Little Miss, I plan to attend many parades and community activities to promote Y.A.M.I as positive pageantry and the message of the value of community service. I have done some community service so far and plan to do more. I may be a Little Miss, but I have big dreams!!
Thanks to Miss Melissa for making this such a positive experience! My family is involved with everything I do, so not only is this a great experience for me, it is for my family as well! I can’t wait to come back to nationals again in 2012!
Morgan Grace Worrell
*ILLINOIS*
2010-2011
Young American Royalty Supreme International
I am Morgan Worrell, proud to be your 2010-2011 Y.A.M.I. Royalty Supreme!
It is truly a privelege to have won this amazing title. I was so thrilled when
Melissa called MY name!!! I am very excited to represent my title this year and
I am confident that it will open new doors for me. I enjoy volunteering and
giving back to my community which is what Y.A.M.I. is all about! I have made
many special friends and I have created wonderful memories with both
Dream Girls USA and Young American Miss International.
Thank you Miss Melissa for offering such a great opportunity to ALL the girls
and for always showing how much you care for each and every girl. You have
touched the lives of many families, especially mine and for that, I feel very
honored to be a part of a GREAT pageant family!!!
Grace Hageman
*WISCONSIN*
2010-2011
Young American Pre-Teen Miss International
Hello, my name is Grace Hageman and I am proud to be your 2010-2011 Young
American Pre-Teen Miss International Queen. When I won, I never thought I
could even get used to saying that...but "I won" and somehow I did! So far I
have had an amazing year already. The main focus has been numerous charity
events including the "National Night Out" event which helps various Oshkosh
organizations spread their message.
The Y.A.M.I. Program has helped me in so many ways that I don't think I could
name them all! First off, it has helped me make many friends that I will have for
LIFE! Second, Y.A.M.I. has assisted me with gaining so much confidence that I
never had before. I would recommend this pageant to anyone who is willing to
work hard and reach for YOUR dreams. I know Miss Melissa would make you
feel at home. That's what I like most about this pageant, all the people and
staff that produce the awesome pageant work hard and are always nice.
So remember girls, be the BEST queen YOU can be!
Your Friend.... Grace Hageman
Kaylea Bixler
*OKLAHOMA*
2009-2010
Young American Junior Miss International
Hi! I am Kaylea Bixler, your 2009-2010 Young American Junior Miss International Queen. Just a few short months ago, I came to St. Louis to have a great family vacation and to participate in the pageants for Young American Miss and Dream Girls USA. I expected to have a good time but what I got was a GREAT time and tons of new friends. I loved modeling my red, white and blue patriotic wear and seeing all the other girls' outfits too. What a privelege it has been to reign for Y.A.M.I. this year. I have done so much community service with my title but my favorites have been working at the many "relay for life" programs in my State of Oklahoma. I recently helped blow up 700 balloons for the "Light of the Night" walk for Lymphoma Research. This title gives me the opportunity to be in so many activities that helps others and when it is with kids, they always LOVE my crown! I am so thankful to Miss Melissa for showing how she really cares about all the contestants and their families. She always takes the time to stop and talk to you no matter how busy she is. If you want to have a great time, see some awesome patriotic outfits and make some new friends then join ME this year at Y.A.M.I. See ya there!!!! Queen Kaylea
Hailey Benoit
*ILLINOIS*
2008-2009
Young American Little Miss Illinois
2009-2010
Young American Little Miss International
It was not long ago that I stood on the stage during Y.A.M.I. State. I was so thrilled when they announced that I WON Little Miss! I had such a great time representing my title. Community service is a priority in my family and to be able to do it with my Y.A.M.I. title is such a treat. My Mom and I do lots of things together to help other people in our community.
Then it was OFF to Nationals! I just can't begin to tell you how much fun it was. To be surrounded by all my sister queens all being so nice to me and to be on stage while all my friends were cheering me on, IT MADE ME SO HAPPY! Then the best thing happened.. I ACTUALLY WON the International Little Miss title! It was so wonderful and then when I got off the big stage surrounded by all my friends made me feel special. I can say this has been a great time and if you want to have fun, dress up and meet tons of new friends I say sign up for Y.A.M.I. I did and it has been the best! Thank you!
Emily Avera
*TEXAS*
2009-2010
Young American Jr. Teen Miss International
*NEW 2010 INTERNATIONAL QUEEN OF QUEENS*
Hi! My name is Emily Avera and I am the 2009-2010 Young American Jr. Teen Miss International Queen. Young American Miss has opened up so many opportunities for me from modeling to helping other people! I am so happy and honored to be a national queen. Miss Melissa is GREAT and she is organized, fun, and makes sure all of the queens strive to make our reign the very best it can be. I am very excited that Y.A.M.I. is about more than just outer beauty and that it is also about your inner qualities and setting examples for others. If I could, I would definitely be a Y.A.M.I. queen forever!!!! Young American Miss Rocks!!! XoXo
Marissa Weiler
*ILLINOIS*
2007-2008
Young American Miss Int'l
State & National * Jr-Teen Miss Queen
2008-2009
Young American Miss Int'l
Queen of Queens
"Being a Y.A.M.I. Queen has been an absolutely incredible experience for me. The Young American Miss program is a wonderful pageant that encourages young ladies and women to become involved in their communities. Being a Queen has also helped me with my social and communication skills. I feel it also helps improve our self confidence in all we do! I have been fortunate to be involved in many volunteer efforts such as "Kids Fight Cancer", The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and the Special Olympics program, just to name a few. Being in parades, meeting celebrities and making appearances is so much fun too! We all have role models, someone we can look up to, and seeing myself as a role model to others is very important because it gives me a chance to encourage others to let them know that they CAN be successful, they can strive to reach goals, and that they should never give up on their dreams. Thank you to Miss Melissa for offering Young American Miss International Pageants to girls everywhere so they can have the chance to make their dreams come true, like I did!"
Rachel Bruno
*ILLINOIS*
2007-2008
Young American Pre-Teen
Miss Illinois Queen
"Hi! I'm Rachel Bruno and I have the honor of being the first Young American Miss Illinois Pre-teen Queen. I have been extremely proud to represent my state at home and at the National event this past May! It was so exciting to compete at Nationals and I won Overall Best Community service and first runner up in my age group. A great honor and so exciting. When Miss Gladys announced MY name at State I couldn't believe it. The crown is very beautiful and the trophy was huge! This pageant has been so fun as formalwear and the modeling part are two of my favorite parts of a pageant. We also submitted our photogenic picture and an application telling all about ourselves and what our community service goals or efforts are. I love doing all kinds of community service and volunteering, so this part was fun and easy to do. In fact, the application part of YAMI can help me or other girls when in future we may want to try out for Miss Teen USA!
I have been a part of many wonderful events this past year as an official YAMI queen that I wish to share. I made 88 fleece blankets for children at a local hospital. I helped the Evanston Police raise money for the "Special Olympics" and with "Polar Plunge". I walked and walked and walked...for a GREAT cause for "Relay for Life" to raise money for cancer research. In addition, I hosted a "Pampered Chef" fun party to raise donations also for cancer research. YAMI is an awesome program for any girl or especially someone new to pageantry. It is a great way to become involved and stay involved with the programs USA Productions offers such as "Dream Girls USA". As Miss Melissa says "Don't Just Dream It...Do it!!!"... I did and so can you!
Shelby Presley
*TEXAS*
2008-2009
Young American Miss Int'l
Jr.-Teen Miss Queen
"When my name was announced on stage at the YAMI Nationals over Memorial Day weekend 2008, I was so excited! Volunteering is a very important part of my life and I am proud to be a part of an organization where caring for others is a priority. Being Jr.-Teen Miss for YAMI has been very rewarding so far! My title HAS opened many doors for me to share my platform with others. I focus on special needs children and their families. I spend time providing childcare, helping out around their house, or just sometimes lending an ear. I am currently working with my mom on starting a non-profit organization called "Lindsey Claire Bears" in honor of my niece who passed away 7 years ago from a rare genetic disorder. YAMI has helped build my confidence and self-esteem even more than I could ever imagine and I am very honored and proud to be an American and to be....
Your 2008 Young American Miss International Jr.-Teen Miss!"
Shawna Paulson
*NORTH DAKOTA*
2008-2009
Young American Miss Int'l
Royalty Supreme Queen
"Winning the Young American Miss Int'l this past May was one of the best things that ever happened to my family and I. It was a privelege to be one of the winners when I was competing against girls 3X my age! This new Royalty Supreme title has brought us so many new adventures and challenges. My family and I have chosen to focus on "The American Diabetes Association", doing fundraising and appearances. It has been great and such an honor to be able to help millions of people with this lifelong disease. Thank you to Miss Melissa and YAMI Pageants for making this all possible for me."
Katerina Pasat
*TEXAS*
2008-2009
Young American Miss Int'l
Royalty Supreme Queen
"YAMI Pageants is an amazing pageant program. Not only is it fun, but it keeps me focused on important issues such as public speaking and community service. It's OUR choice to volunteer in our community and it makes me feel good to help others. I look forward to being a part of YAMI as it grows for years and years to come. I recommend Young American Miss to all young ladies interested in achieving their personal goals."
Tiffany McCall
*ILLINOIS*
2007-Current
Young American Miss Int'l
Supreme Lifetime Queen
"It is an honor to be a role model to all contestants and new Queens for the Young American Miss International Pageant Program. Through Y.A.M.I. Pageants I have seen new doors open for many of our coveted Queens. Not only are they dedicated to their titles, but they give of their time to help in some way in their communities for so many charitable causes. We CAN all make a difference by being proud americans and helping others whether we are a titleholder or not. I believe that being successful is equal to having a vision, taking action, and never giving up on your goals and dreams!"
