More Than a Crown: MMACHS Junior Competes in Teen Pageants

MMACHS Junior Kaylee Merrill

By Seniors Alex Maghari and Franzen Costales

For MMACHS junior Kaylee Merril, confidence didn't appear overnight. It started when she stepped onto the pageant stage for the first time. Pageantry had always been part of her life. Her mom directed Meridian Dairy Days, and growing up, Kaylee watched contestants take the stage year after year. When she was old enough, she decided to try it herself.

“The first time I could, I competed, and then I won,” she said. “I was the 2023 Meridian Diary Day, Jr. princess, and I was 13 years old.”

That moment sparked something bigger. After seeing her friend Brooklyn Pancarry win Miss Idaho’s Teen in 2024, Kaylee felt inspired to continue her own journey. Some of her favorite memories didn’t happen on stage, but behind the scenes. 

“My favorite moment from all of my pageants I’ve done was probably Bear World at Miss Idaho last year,” she said. “We all got this private tour, and we got to see all the bears up close.” 

She also remembers the laughter and friendships formed backstage during rehearsals and appearances. Through pageants, Kaylee discovered the confidence she didn’t always have before. 

“I’ve gained a lot of self-esteem and self-confidence because before I could not have a conversation with people or even hold a conversation. But now I have the confidence and I can do that.”

Balancing school and pageantry also hasn’t always been easy. But as she went on, she learned to stay organized and dedicate time each day towards her goals. For example, she dedicates a couple of hours to her responsibilities whether that is paperwork, posting on her Miss Ada County Instagram page, or her writing her upcoming children’s book. 

But most importantly, she found purpose in using her voice. Through the Miss America Organization, Kaylee coded and programmed a website called, “Anchored Families: Guiding Children of Divorce Through Life Storms.” 

“...it’s full of resources for anyone of any age to use, whether you are a child of divorce, or you have been divorced yourself…”

​For Kaylee, pageants are about more than appearances. From an outside perspective, many people think pageants are just about how they look, but the main priority in Miss America is their Community Service Initiative or CSI. 

What began as a childhood experience has grown into something meaningful. For Kaylee, the crown isn’t what matters most — it’s the confidence she’s gained, the voice she’s found, and the hope that her journey will inspire and support others facing their own challenges.