During her first year at Elon University, Brown had the chance to take the stage in both state and national pageants.
Rachel Brown ’27 never originally herself as a pageant girl, especially not a state title holder. However, during the summer before her senior year of high school, her longtime vocal coach encouraged her to compete in a local Miss America pageant in her home state of New Hampshire. Brown’s vocal coach made her talent dress by hand and within the month, Brown found herself vying for a local title.
“I decided that I could either hold myself back from the opportunity because I felt I didn’t fit the mold of a pageant girl, or I could compete and see if I liked it,” Brown said.
She went on to win the title of Miss Manchester’s Outstanding Teen on her way to securing a place in the top 10 at the state level and then winning top interview at Miss New Hampshire’s Teen, all before arriving at Elon as a first-year student.
Within the first few weeks of classes, Brown spontaneously decided to compete in the Miss New Hampshire Teen Volunteer pageant. She took home the crown and with it, an opportunity to compete at the national level.
“I never expected my name to be called that day, but it truly has changed the trajectory of my life,” Brown said.
During her time as Miss New Hampshire Teen Volunteer, Brown volunteered in her local area as well as the greater New England area. She sang the national anthem for the St. Jude walk-run in Boston and in March represented New Hampshire in the Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant in Jackson, Tennessee.
Initially hesitant to compete at the national level, Brown walked away grateful for the chance to stand on the stage with her fellow contestants.
“I have only been competing in pageants for a little over a year, so the imposter syndrome was real heading into Jackson,” she said. “But once I got there, I met some of the most wonderful people. Everyone was just so vibrant and happy to be there.”
Each state’s Miss Teen Volunteer creates her own S.E.R.V.E. initiative, which represents the five principles of the organization’s mission, scholarship, education, responsibility, volunteerism and empowerment. Brown’s initiative is called “Rachel Rocks the Vote,” and is centered around getting youths involved in democracy. The focus is aimed at education and advocacy for young voters to register to vote and show up to the polls. Brown prioritizes educating young children and teens so that they feel comfortable voting when they are of age.
“I’ve been holding signs at local polls since I was 9 and I have seen year after year older generations showing up to vote while young people in town chose not to,” she said. “I’ve always thought more people my age should get involved in politics in whatever way they can.”
Brown is looking forward to returning to New Hampshire this summer and continuing to make a positive difference in her state. New Hampshire’s teen volunteer program is still new, and Brown wants to ensure that the program is visible and accessible to young girls across the state.
“My biggest takeaway from my year is that I deserve the success I have achieved. Imposter syndrome is very real especially when I haven’t been in the game as long as many of my other sister titleholders,” Brown said. “I’ve learned that this mindset really holds me back. I hope to keep competing in pageants and using the experience I have had this year to help with my confidence both in pageants but in my everyday life.”