By DANIELLE PRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Local teen Victoria Pray spent a week this summer in Las Vegas at the Texas Station to participate in the Nevada Cinderella Pageant. By the end, Pray had won a state title as Nevada’s Cinderella Ambassador.
Pray competed against nine other girls, ages 13 through 18, in multiple events. The competition required a professional-style
Pray’s title is different than just the average Teen Crown. The state director, Gwendolyn Hansen, reviews the records of the girls to see what events they have been involved in throughout the year. According to the contest, the State Ambassador must be a kind, outgoing girl and a member of the Chi-Gamma Sorority. She also had to complete a considerable amount of community service to be eligible for winning.
Prior to the Pageant, Victoria was active in serving those in her community. Being known for battling with childhood heart-issues of her own, Pray has always been a huge advocate for raising money to help others with similar conditions and helping them to feel like they are not just subjects of disease, genetic disorder, or virus. Part of her service started with helping during Special Olympics in track and bowling events. She also worked as a cheerleader for the finishing contestants. She organized a team for the Children’s Heart Foundation: Walk With The Heart Of A Child event, and raised $800.
In order to win the title of Ambassador, the contestants must also do well enough in the Pageant to have been in the Top Five Finalists. The Judges watch the girls throughout the week to see how they interact with others and the set out to find that girl who is kind, vibrant, and has the ability to get along with everyone.
The service doesn’t end for Pray because as a Title Holder she has a year-long requirement to continue to participate in the local pageants all around Nevada. She continues to find opportunities to support others by being a part of the Make A Wish Walk, working on Community Service Projects, and more Special Olympics Events.
“This is an honor,” Pray said. “I want to help others feel the Cinderella magic by spreading support and generosity as I carry out my duties.”