Local Youth Competes As Miss Amazing Nevada

By JENNA RHUDE

Moapa Valley Progress

This summer, local youth Tessa Totten, daughter of Doug and Korindi Totten, represented Nevada at the National Miss Amazing Pageant in Chicago, Illinois.

The pageant’s purpose is to invest in the strengths of girls and women with disabilities.
“The pageant is very young and still in the growing stages,” said Korindi. “It all started with a girl named Jordan Somer when she was thirteen. She wanted to help those with disabilities feel beautiful.”

Tessa, her mom, and sister, Shanlin flew to Chicago for six days and five nights of pure happiness. “Where else can you go where people come up and give you hugs when they don’t even know you?” asked Shanlan. “Where else can you go and become immediate friends with people? There were no judgments, only love.”

Korindi explained that when she and her daughters were in the airport preparing to leave for Chicago, Tessa was quiet and reserved. But on the return trip, she stood taller and talked louder. “That is why we did this, to give her more confidence,” she said. “It was awesome to see her blossom.”

Tessa’s exciting adventure began with a dance, talent show, and interview. “She did great at every event,” Korindi recalled. “She couldn’t stop smiling. She felt like a celebrity; they made her feel so special.”
Tessa performed a ribbon dance to the song “Shooting Star” by Barbie. “She is able to better express herself through dance than her words,” Korindi said. “She is free from restraints when she performs. She choreographed the dance completely by herself.”

When it came time to introduce herself on stage, Tessa proudly announced her name and the state she represented, and ended with a “dab” dance move. “That was all her,” said Shanlin. “We practiced what to say, but the dance moves were all her.”

While Tessa did not bring home the overall title in her preteen category, she will represent Nevada all year long. When asked about doing the pageant again next year, Tessa responded with a huge grin, “Yes, I want to do it again,” she said. “I loved making new friends.”

Korindi became online friends with a family from Colorado who introduced them to the pageant. Korindi began excitedly researching the requirements and how to enter Tessa. Then the fundraising began.
“I have to say, one of my favorite parts of the whole process was fundraising,” Korindi said. “It helped Tessa get out in the community. She was able to tell people about herself and she could thank them for helping her.”

The Tottens are very grateful to the Moapa Valley community for their support; not only for the pageant, but also for church, school, and life.
“Having a daughter with Down’s Syndrome is not a disability, but an opportunity,” said Korindi. “It’s an opportunity for people to meet someone special who does not have unhappiness in her life.”

Tessa is hoping to participate in Miss Radiant in March 2019 in St. George, Utah. Way to go Miss Amazing Nevada, Tessa Totten!