By Zoe Haynes
In only her second pageant, Howard University Freshman Kennedy Edwards made history by becoming the first African American to hold the Miss Texas Teen USA title.
Edwards, a political science student from Houston, Texas began her pageant career in January, as she trained for the Miss Houston Teen pageant. Following her victory of Miss Houston Teen, she was crowned Miss Texas Teen USA on Nov. 26.
“You can’t prepare yourself for what it’s like when they call your name. You wish they call your name, you hope they call your name, but you can’t ultimately prepare yourself for what it’s like afterward. I’m still kind of shaken up. It still hasn’t completely sunken in mostly because of the history behind it,” said Edwards.
As the first African American to hold the title in the pageants 35 year history, Edwards is aware of the responsibility her position holds.
“Once I figured out that if I were to win that I would be the first African American to be Miss Texas Teen USA, I went in wanting to make history. I realized my purpose was larger than just being a role model. Now I am a role model but I get to be role model for all types of people, and not just one standard of beauty,” Edwards explained in an Instagram post.
Edwards intends to continue her pageant journey, as her historic win commits her to compete in the Miss Teen USA competition. Most of her training will take place in Houston, and will involve constant travel between Houston and Washington, DC.
“For the last pageant I had to fly back to Houston every two weeks for training. I expect I will be doing just as much next year,” she said.
Edwards is excited to continue her career at Howard University and is looking forward to her experience at school, in addition to her pageant commitments.
