Gilbert girl named Miss Arizona Teen

A 17-year-old Gilbert girl was named the 2024 Miss National American Arizona Teen Queen at a pageant last month.

Smilangi Sidhugari, received her official state crown, banner and trophy and an invitation to compete at the national pageant held Thanksgiving Week in Orlando, Florida.

At the pageant she also received awards for Heart of Service, Best Thank You Note, Best Resume and Spokesmodel 1RU.

Sidhugari’s activities include representing the 12 states of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Region as one of the 33 global representatives at the International Humanitarian Law Summit hosted by the American Red Cross in Washington, volunteering at HonorHealth Hospital and taking part in kidney research.

She is also a Model UN delegate, trained Indian classical dancer, member of National Honor Society, First Lego League state robotics champion and an AP Scholar with Distinction award recipient.

The National American Miss pageants are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders.

Each year, the National American Miss Pageants awards $1.5 million in cash, scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide.

National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across the nation with a program that is designed to be age-appropriate and family-oriented. Pageants are held in each state for girls ages 4 to 24 in six different age divisions. Makeup is not allowed on contestants 12 and under.

The National American Miss pageants are for “Today’s Girl” and “Tomorrow’s Leaders,” according to the organization. The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition and setting and achieving personal goals.

Her parents, Navyatha Kappa and Raju Sidhugari, were her pageant sponsors.