Who is she?
Kayleigh Hill, a 10-year-old who sings, plays the cello and is a Girl Scout, will be competing in the state pageant Aug. 13 and 14 in New Brunswick.
Hill, who also enjoys ice skating and reading, is the newly crowned Miss PreTeen New Jersey, according to a news release. If she wins the National American Miss New Jersey competition, she will earn the chance to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California.
Hill also would represent New Jersey for the entire year, according to the release.
Hill, who enjoys learning about reptiles and wants to become a herpetologist when she grows up, is the daughter of James Hill of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The National American Miss Pageant is dedicated to celebrating America's greatness and encouraging its future leaders, according to the news release. The organization aims to create future leaders and to equip them with real-world skills to make their dreams a reality. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence and learning new skills, such as good attitudes about competition, as well as setting and achieving personal goals.
Too Young? Beauty Pageant can have serious negative effects on young girls
Many experts agree that participation in activities that focus on physical appearance at an early age can influence teen and/or adult self-esteem, body image and self-worth. Issues with self-identity after a child "retires" from the pageant scene in her teens are not uncommon. Struggles with perfection, dieting, eating disorders and body image can take their toll in adulthood.
Not all pageant participants, young dancers or performers will have body issues when they get older, but some do. For the girls who do develop image obsessions, it appears that the hypercritical environment of their youth produces a drive towards the unattainable goal of physical perfection. The “Princess Syndrome” later causes these girls to start acting like they are the most beautiful people in the world and that they should be treated differently. Unrealistic expectations to be thin, physically beautiful, and perfect are at the heart of some disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction.
Your Thoughts?
Should pageants for such young age be banned because they have negative effects, or should they continue because they are interesting and offer the girls something to dream about? Let us know in the comments below.
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