BEDFORD – Serenity Roach, a 10-year-old, Parkview 5th grader won the National American Miss Jr. Preteen competition this past weekend.
She competed against more than 40 other girls to win the competition.
Serenity has participated in pageants since the age of five, and throughout the last five years has been practicing her skills, presentation, modeling, and interview skills.
“At first it seemed different, but I was really excited when I found out that I won,” said Serenity during an interview Thursday afternoon.
Roach started out in local pageants before competing on the national stage. In order to perfect her skills, she practices more than two hours a week reviewing other pageant competitors’ and watching YouTube.
She has also competed in optional competitions where she won the Runway Competition, Casual Wear, and placed in the top five as an actress. She also won the most promising Model Award.
Her coach Amber Brown has been instrumental in her development into being highly competitive. Last year, Serenity performed virtually in the National American Miss contest placing in the top five. She then went on to the Nationals in November in Orlando, Florida.
One of the platforms she uses during the competition is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness.
“When I was young, I was talking to a friend and was tripped while running by a swing and hit my head. I was taken to Dunn Memorial Hospital and received stitches,” said Serenity. According to Serenity’s mother Tara, she still has complications from that incident.
Part of the competition includes community service. Serenity performs between 40 to 60 hours of community service a year. Her projects include helping the Hope Resource Kids Closet.
She will be at Hope Resource Kids Closet located at 717 Lincoln Avenue in Bedford, this Saturday volunteering her time. She can normally be found at the register, and when it is not too busy she tags the clothes.
” I enjoy helping people,” noted Roach.
In the future, she hopes to become a school teacher and a beautician.
“I want to help those that have trouble learning to help teach students to make them successful later in life,” said Roach.
In November, she will be heading to Orlando and is seeking donations to help pay for her trip. A fundraiser will be held in the near future at El Compadre. If anyone would like to donate to the cause they can email Tara Roach, Serenity’s mother at tkroach1212@gmail.com.
