Miss Teen Great Lakes AmeriFest

Countdown to AmeriFest Nationals Day 4, why am I competing at Nationals? I am so blessed and honored to be a part of the AmeriFest Pageant System. My state director Carrie Layne works hard for us and is awesome. My pageant coach Tiffany Porter is wonderful and has helped me grow so much.

Such a wonderful day spent with my bestie queens for a Nationals Pageant send-off party! It was so wonderful for us all to get together again, great food and great company! Special thank you to Kilee, Bryanna, and their parents for hosting our party!

Countdown to AmeriFest Nationals Day 3, who are my pageant besties? I have so many pageant besties and love all my sister queens! We always have so much fun together and support each other, but I can probably narrow it down to Miss Teen Ohio AmeriFest Rilynn, Miss Ohio AmeriFest Addie, Junior Miss Great Lakes AmeriFest Paislee and Little Miss Ohio AmeriFest Dahlia.

Countdown to AmeriFest Nationals Day 2, my community service and platform. My love for animals led me to develop my platform Marissa's Mews & Chews. I'm partnered with Cozy Cat Cottage which is a no-kill animal shelter full of cats. I love volunteering there and turning my passion into action.

Countdown to AmeriFest Nationals Day 1, introduce myself and where I am from. Hi! I'm Marissa Stephenson, and I will be a sophomore at Bishop Watterson High School this year. I live in Powell, Ohio, which is a suburb on the north side of Columbus. I am passionate about animals and like tennis and skiing. I also love to hang out with my friends!

I traveled to Gettysburg, PA, with my family. Gettysburg commemorates a pivotal battle and turning point in the Civil War. Touring the battlefield was a very humbling and emotional experience as we honored everyone who lost their lives and remembered this important piece of our nation's history. We also stopped at Hershey World and Hershey Amusement Park for a sweet ending to our vacation.

AmeriFest Nationals is July 16-19. I am so honored and excited to compete this year and to see all my sister Queens! Thank you Layne, my amazing state director, for this banner.