They’re beauty and they’re grace! On Saturday, June 6, several local girls were crowned at the “I am Beautiful” pageant at Beach Channel Educational Campus’ auditorium, an effort to build sisterhood, self-love and self-respect among young students.
For the last five years, local resident Myasia McKenzie, program director for the Millennium Development after-school program based in Channel View School for Research, has been hosting the “I am Beautiful” pageant to showcase elementary, middle and high-school girls throughout the Far Rockaway community “to teach sisterhood, build friendships, self-empowerment, self-love, and self-respect,” McKenzie, a mentor and pageant coach, said. “I believe girls of all races, shapes and sizes are unique and beautiful in their own way. The pageant also creates bonding time with students and their parents/guardians.”
At this year’s pageant, 15 girls graced the stage in front of pageant judges from the tri-state area who have national pageant experience. Each girl had to perform, model and dress for four categories: beauty wear, blue wear, plaid wear and celebrity wear. They were each given a minute on stage to showcase their outfits and confidence. Each girl was crowned and gifted for their participation, and cash prizes were awarded to eight girls.
The 2026 elementary school ultimate grand supreme winner was fourth grader, Aliyah. The 2026 middle school ultimate grand supreme winner was seventh grader, Tahari. The runners up included Paisley, Janellie, Leilin, Khloe, Genesis, and Solange. All are from the Rockaway community and attend the P.S. 317 Waterside Children’s Studio School or Channel View School for Research.
McKenzie, who has two daughters, said she created the pageant as she is “very passionate about creating a safe space to let all girls of different ethnicities, cultures, and sizes shine bright like a diamond and most importantly, embrace their confidence, creativity and unique beauty.” Plus, it creates opportunities for the future. McKenzie said, “Many students have expanded their career journey in pageants, acting, modeling and being featured in commercials just by participating in this annual school pageant.”
Congratulations to all!
