Crown holder from Seguin to represent all of South Texas
(Seguin) — At the start of summer, 16-year-old Casey Hernandez was just beginning her journey into the pageant world. Now mid summer, the Seguin High School student officially holds the title as the Miss South Texas, Junior Teen for the America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization (ANTSO). Her journey, however, does not stop there and she is now preparing to compete for the national crown this weekend in Dallas.
Hernandez, who will represent Seguin and all of South Texas, says she never imagined so much experience in a very short time.
“I think it was a lot to take in at first being crowned Miss South Texas but at the end, I just thought this was a really great opportunity to showcase my community, my talents and also I have younger nieces and so it also helps them get out of their little shell and be a role model for them. It was a lot to take in at first but I got adjusted to it pretty easily,” said Hernandez.
Prior to her daughter asking her to join the pageant circuit, Mother Penny Bright says the teen was shy and lacked a bit of ambition. But after the short couple of months of experience, she says all that has now changed.
“Oh my goodness, she has really just come out of her shell. She has taken on this. She is excited about it. She wanted to do the additional optionals which they have different things they can do. They can do acting, or talent or portfolio — different things that they can choose from. The first pageant, we were nervous and we were not quite sure what we were doing so we couldn’t do a whole lot and this one, she is ready to take it all on. She is excited because now she gets to compete with girls from all over the country. And since this has all happened, she’s really come out of her shell that she has actually talked to a recruiter and she is planning on joining the National Guard when she is 17 and doing her basic next summer. So, she’s got plans already so I think this has really helped her organize her thoughts and where she wanted to go,” said Bright.
Each of the states will be represented in this weekend’s contest. The national contest begins Friday and wraps up with finals on Monday.