Three teens were tapped as outstanding and worthy of donning the crown Saturday night at the Perot Theatre during the Miss Texarkana Twin Rivers Pageant.
For Fideline, her story is anything but typical for a pageant winner. The 15-year-old charter school student from Garland, Texas, has a platform about homelessness and its effects on children.
But for her, the issue is personal. She said she spent three months homeless with her family when she was 10.
"The title is called Victory Through Adversity," Fideline said of her platform.
Going without a home made her appreciate everything she did have, she said.
"We slept in our car for three months. There were seven of us and a Great Dane," Fideline said. Her talent portion for the evening was a lyrical dance that spoke to her tough experiences.
"What I learned the most is to be grateful and not take things for granted, such as a bed or even a home and food ." Fideline said. She was surprised to hear her name called, and it gives her another chance to go to Miss Texas. She was previously Miss Hurst-Euless-Bedford OT.
She'd love to be named Miss Texas Outstanding Teen.
"I would love to tell my story," Fideline said.
Bowman is a 15-year-old from Ashdown, originally from Texarkana. She aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease with her platform, All in for Alzheimer's.
When Bowman first heard her name as the winner of Miss Texarkana Twin Rivers Outstanding Teen, her reaction was one of disbelief. Her first thought was, she said, "I felt like, oh my gosh, really? Is this really happening right now?"
Nevertheless, Bowman has big goals for her upcoming year wearing the crown.
"I hope to achieve representing my Heavenly Father in a good light and making all people know that you can still be beautiful and work hard also," Bowman said.
Hill, a 14-year-old student from Texarkana, Texas, aims to promote respect for teachers with her platform Respect the Keys. It's a platform that also has a personal angle connected to her family.
"My mom is a teacher, and I don't think that teachers get the respect that they deserve across the nation," Hill said.
Like other winners this night, she was surprised to hear her name actually called, describing her reaction this way: "Is this a dream? Can someone pinch me?"
Hill looks forward to representing Texarkana, Texas, at the state pageant.
"This year I hope to achieve spreading awareness about teacher respect across the state and doing well at the Miss Texas Pageant representing Texarkana," Hill said.
Before the ultimate winners were announced for the teen competition, Allie Graves was named first runner up for Miss Twin Rivers OT, while Madison Prince was named first runner up for Miss Texarkana OT. Kylee McGaha was given the Poff Communications Overall Interview Award, while Madison Prince was given the Haley Johnston Physical Fitness in Aerobic Wear Award.
The Little Miss Texarkana Twin Rivers event was held Saturday morning at the Perot.
Little Miss winners were as follows: Lillianna Holcombe as Baby Miss Texarkana and Chloe Henderson as Baby Miss Twin Rivers; Bella Bunger as Tiny Miss Texarkana and Brook Webber as Tiny Miss Twin Rivers; Madalynne Owens as Mini Miss Texarkana and MaKinley Ashford as Mini Miss Twin Rivers; Karly Jo Brown as Petite Miss Texarkana and Claire Laughard as Petite Miss Twin Rivers; Lexxy Luckey as Little Miss Texarkana and Lennon Wells as Little Miss Twin Rivers; Gracie Duncan as Young Miss Texarkana and Kylee Martin as Young Miss Twin Rivers; Katie Jo Vaughn as Junior Miss Texarkana and Katelyn Adkins as Junior Miss Twin Rivers.