Students, teachers and staff at DeSoto High School are amongst royalty as 12th-grader, Mariah Williams was crowned Miss Teen of Dallas County earlier this year.
Williams, who has been competing in pageants for a little over two years and serves as a twirler for the DeSoto High School band, entered in the realm of pageantry after her coach nudged her to compete on a more distinguished scale.
“A passion of mine is twirling, which I started two years ago for DeSoto High school,” said Williams. “Like every new thing you start, there are bound to be difficulties. I had a hard time adjusting to it at first but I overcame it and soon started competing. I placed at every competition I competed in. My coach noticed this and decided to further challenge me by training me to compete in distinguished twirling pageants. I loved it so much!”
After winning a few pageants early in her career, Williams felt more inspired than ever to propel forward in the industry and garnered the spirit of philanthropy in the process.
“I decided I wanted to start making a difference in the world and inspiring others,” said Williams. “I discovered the American Pageants family and loved the impact that they had on others- I instantly knew I wanted to join this righteous cause that aligned with my aspiration.”
Crowned as Miss Teen of Dallas County in March of this year, Williams did not let the global health pandemic due to COVID-19 slow down her service to the community. To date, Williams has helped raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s North Texas Chapter; distributed groceries to families in need; and helped raise awareness for Breast Cancer. In addition to those causes, Williams expressed her most beloved act of goodwill was donating to the Boys and Girls Club.
“Of all the charitable contributions, my favorite was the toiletry drive for the Boys and Girls Club,” said Williams. “It afforded me the uniquely humbling opportunity of being able to see how my actions positively affected other people.”
Beyond twirling for DHS, Williams is an active member of the Business Professionals of America Club at the high school and she holds a position in her church’s Mission Sister group.
After graduating at the end of the school year, Williams plans to attend a college or university to pursue a degree in Journalism and continue her work in community service initiatives.
“DeSoto will help me achieve my goals by bestowing ample opportunities to advance my sense of community, worth, and esteem while exposing me to real-world situations,” Williams expressed. “With the support of DeSoto, I will be prepared to overcome any trials and tribulations that may surface with grace and gratitude.”
In March of 2021, Williams will embark on her next pageant, competing to become the Miss Teen of Texas.