Pageants may seem like all play, but Karli explained there is a lot of work and preparation time that is needed. However, all of the hard work pays off, as contestants win prizes. Karli has mostly won crowns and trophies, but she has also won unique prizes including a luggage set. There are also titles that are given to winners. Karli has won Miss Wise County for the past three years and is currently Miss Teen Norton. The most important title she has received in the past three years is Miss Tennessee Citrus.
Karli has competed in pageants as far away as Tazwell. She stated that if she is in a pageant mood, she will compete in one every other weekend. Her pageant coach, Lauren Barnette, has been encouraging her to compete for Miss Virginia Teen USA in 2016. She has been participating in national pageants to prepare for the competition for Miss Virginia Teen USA.
Karli has to go through a set of competitions at each pageant. The competitions include, evening gown (contestant wears a gown of their choice), onstage question (a random question, usually about contestant's hobbies or future plans. The contestant has approximately 30 to 45 seconds to answer.), fun wear/model wear (contestants pick an outfit that symbolizes one from a fashion show; they have 2 minutes to model this.), and photogenic competition (contestants are judged by a photograph of their choice). After all of the competitions have taken place there are side awards given out. The side awards include: prettiest hair, smile, eyes, best dressed, Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, best interview, and best modeling.Karli's advice to any little girl wanting to compete is, "Don't be discouraged at any pageant you compete in every judge has their own opinion. Pageants should be all about having fun and meeting new people!"
Written by: Madi Cardon