09/30/2026
PASSING THE CROWN👑💜
Raleigh Reed tells us a beautiful story of how pageantry impacted her, and shaped her into who she is today! 💜
In her own words:
"Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming Miss Walton County, and in February 2023, that dream became a reality. Looking back, serving as Miss Walton County was about so much more than wearing a crown or holding a title. It gave me the opportunity to represent the place I called home, serve my community, grow as a person, and create memories and relationships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Throughout my year of service, I had the privilege of volunteering countless hours in my community and participating in events that allowed me to connect with the people around me. Every experience taught me something new and serving others showed me how rewarding it was to give my time to something bigger than myself and made me even more grateful for the community I represented.
My year serving as Miss Walton County was one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had. Having the opportunity to represent Walton County at the Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant was something I will always remember. Participating in pageants allowed me to develop confidence, public speaking, interview, communication, and leadership skills. These were skills that I knew I would continue to use throughout college, my future career, and everyday life.
My pageant journey started a very young age when I competed and won my first pageant as a preschooler. From that very first pageant it was something I knew I wanted to continue doing, and it now has been in every chapter of life. Throughout my life, I held numerous titles that allowed me to represent Walton County. In 2013, I competed in the Little Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant and that is where I began to learn all the valuable skills, I have carried with me ever since. As a first grader, I began learning advanced communication skills that have greatly benefitted me throughout life. Now that I am in college, I have had the opportunity to judge pageants and I truly enjoying applying the skills and knowledge I gained throughout my younger years.
One of the most special parts of holding a title was being a role model to the younger girls who were also titleholders and young girls throughout the community. I wanted them to see that being a queen was not just about a crown, but about how you treated others, and the impact you have on your community. Watching my sister queens grow throughout the year was incredibly rewarding because I had the same experience when I was a young queen. My past sister queens are still some of my very best friends today. I also gained lifelong friendships and memories through my time in pageants. From my sister queens to the pageant committee, the people I met made the experience even more special. I will always be grateful to everyone who supported me, encouraged me, celebrated with me, and helped me become the person I was when I passed on my title.
Looking back, I truly believe competing in pageants and serving my community was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. It taught me confidence, responsibility, leadership, communication, and the importance of giving back. My experiences shaped me into how I am today and because of pageants I have had the skills to be successful in numerous speech competitions, serve in the Student Government Association at Troy University, hold leadership roles in my sorority Phi Mu Kappa Gamma, and has given me valuable skills I will use in my career!
For anyone considering competing in a pageant, I would encourage you to take the opportunity. The memories, friendships, confidence, skills, and experiences gained along the way were worth so much more than the title itself. My year as Miss Walton County was something I will always be proud of, and the lessons I learned through pageantry and service will stay with me far beyond my time wearing the crown."
Raleigh, Confidence looks incredible on you!💜
