The Miss Chico and Miss Teen Chico Pageant: A Celebration of Confidence and Community
The Second Annual Miss Teen and Miss Chico Pageant took place on June 7th, crowning Karris Rose Spath and Coco Weller as the 2026 Miss Chico and Miss Teen Chico, respectively. This event, held at the Chico Elks Lodge, was a full-day affair, featuring competitions in Evening Gown, Fitness Wear, and Interview categories. The pageant's mission, as emphasized by the Forever A Queen Organization, goes beyond mere appearances. It focuses on developing confidence, leadership, and community involvement among young women, challenging the narrow definition of beauty often associated with pageants.
Lora Shipley, the founder and director of the Forever A Queen Organization, stated, 'Pageants often reinforce outdated stereotypes and a narrow definition of beauty. The Miss Teen and Miss Chico Pageant aims to redefine this with an emphasis on wholesome, iconic, and elegant qualities.' The organization's Forever A Queen Academy provides these young women with skills such as confidence, poise, leadership, and self-awareness, along with community volunteerism, empowering them beyond the crown.
Both titleholders will represent Chico on the state stage, continuing the legacy of the 2025 winners, Makayla Mellinger and Gracie Yost. Yost's advancement to the Miss Teen California USA semifinals last year showcases the potential for these young women to excel in the pageant circuit. However, an interesting twist occurred when Coco Weller, the Miss Teen Chico, was unable to compete in the Miss Teen California USA pageant due to her commitment to representing the United States at a dance world championship in Italy.
As a result, Maryalice Powell, the runner-up, was promoted to co-share the Miss Teen Chico title and will now represent Chico at the Miss Teen California USA pageant. Weller, on the other hand, will compete in the Miss California America pageant, where her world-class dance talents will be showcased during the talent competition. This strategic shift highlights the pageant's adaptability and the importance of recognizing diverse talents.
The pageant also recognized other achievements, with Ellianna Santana named Miss Congeniality, Brynna Lowe receiving the Miss Teen Congeniality award, Isabella Bax earning the People's Choice Miss Queen title, and Victoria Caltaldo selected as People's Choice Teen Queen. The success of the event was attributed to the strong community support, with the Chico Elks Lodge and local business We Do Designs playing pivotal roles in transforming the venue.
Shipley expressed her gratitude, stating, 'The community really rallied for the daughters of Chico. Without their sponsorship, the Miss Chico event would not have been nearly what it was. We are so appreciative of the many sponsors, large and small—everyone really made the event perfect.' This level of community engagement is a testament to the pageant's ability to bring people together and foster a sense of pride in the local community.
In conclusion, the Miss Chico and Miss Teen Chico Pageant is more than just a beauty competition. It is a platform for young women to develop their leadership skills, build confidence, and engage in community service. The event's success, fueled by community support, highlights the power of such initiatives in empowering and inspiring the next generation of women in Chico.
