TEXARKANA, Texas --A crown is a means to an end for Kalyx Cantu. It's how she is sharing a powerful message.
Kalyx is Miss Northeast Texas Outstanding Teen and will compete in June in the Miss Texas Outstanding Teen Pageant. The 17-year-old also is a sexual assault survivor, and the Miss Texas stage is a place for her to speak up for other survivors.
"I never set out to be in pageants," she said. "But I have a story to tell, and pageants is a way to get my platform out there."
On Wednesday, Kalyx and her mom visited the Bi-State Justice Building to meet with and honor three women who helped Kalyx come forward, speak out about her assault and see that her perpetrator never hurts anyone else.
Carly Rhyne, a therapist and children's advocate, Texarkana Texas Police Detective Tabitha Smith and Bowie County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Crisp all have played important roles in Kalyx's life for several years.
"These three women were my voice before I had my own voice," Kalyx said.
The last Wednesday in April is known as Denim Day, Kalyx said. The day was launched as part of an international protest following the Italian Supreme Court's 1998 decision to overturn the conviction of a man who was convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman in 1992.
The chief judge issued a statement that the victim's jeans were so tight she had to help the man remove them. Therefore, it was not considered rape but consensual sex.
April is also sexual assault awareness month.
Kalyx was first abused at age 7. She came forward as a freshman in high school. There were seven other victims in her case, but Kalyx still met resistance from people who said her story could not be true.
A girl who had come forward before her had gone back on her accusation due to no one believing her.
However, Kalyx and her mom persevered and worked with detectives and the Bowie County District Attorney's Office.
"No one should ever tell you that you were wrong. You should never have to take your story back," Kalyx said.
The suspect eventually pleaded guilty and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
"There are a lot of other victims out there who need to hear her story," Smith said.
Kalyx, a junior at Fouke High School, has also started an organization called Stronger than Silence. She hopes to visit elementary schools to talk to children on age-appropriate levels about sexual abuse and not doing anything they are uncomfortable with, even if it's a hug from someone.
"I want them to know they have control of their bodies," she said. "And also know the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse. I want to stand up for others and be their voice because talking about it is how we end it," she said.
The three women Kalyx honored Wednesday are proud of the teenager.
"This case was difficult for everyone involved, because there were so many children involved in it," Crisp said.
Seeing Kalyx in her crown, sharing her story in a confident voice is reward enough for them.
"Lots of days in this job, you don't have an outcome like this," Crisp said.
Kalyx Cantu, Miss Northeast Texas Outstanding Teen, is shown with Carly Rhyne, Detective Tabitha Smith and Bowie County District Attorney Kelly Crisp. Cantu honored the women for their work in her sexual assault case. (Staff photo by Lori Dunn)