Miss Amazing crowned nearby resident Haley Martin, Missouri Miss Amazing at their 2024 pageant. Miss Amazing is a pageant for women and girls with disabilities focusing on self-esteem.
A little about Haley in her own words, “I grew up in Excelsior Springs and currently reside in Lawson, Missouri. As a state representative I hope to teach kids that people with disabilities can be amazing.” Haley’s mom, Dawn Spray shared with the citizen, “Haley was diagnosed with left hemiplegic cerebral palsy at age 1.5. She attended Excelsior Springs school district from pre school until high school. Haley has spent the last few years volunteering in the community as much as possible. She spent last season at Watkin’s Mill volunteering at the front desk, helps run Lawson Cardinal Closet ( a free clothing resource for the Lawson community) and volunteering at many community events.”
The Missouri pageant crowns multiple winners across various age groups. Age groups are broken up into preteen, junior teen, teen, junior miss, miss, senior miss, and mentor. Spray, shared in the Citizen Facebook Group that “The Miss Amazing pageant is for girls & women with disabilities to raise awareness, community involvement & advocacy across the country.”
Winners at the state level are invited to the national pageant which will take place in July in Chicago. The National Miss Amazing is the largest gathering of girls and women with disabilities in the nation! In a statement to the Citizen Haley said, “I am super excited to represent my community at nationals, see my fellow sister queens (who have become my best friends), dance at the gala, and show everyone how awesome our area is.”
Spray also shared, “You may see her (Haley) around town and at various events in the next few months raising awareness, advocating and fundraising to support her upcoming trip!” Spray encouraged residents to say hi to her daughter, cheer her on and if you feel moved to, donate to her upcoming trip.
Haley also shared, “My long term goal is to be a paraprofessional and set the next generation of people with disabilities up for success! Thank you all for the support, love and donations!!” Miss Amazing is a fantastic organization and it is so exciting to have a nearby resident representing the state of Missouri!
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