A 17-year-old from Gilbert, Smilangi Sidhugari, was crowned the 2024 Miss National American Arizona Teen Queen at a pageant last month.
She received a state crown, banner, trophy, and an invitation to compete at the national pageant in Orlando, Florida, during Thanksgiving Week. Smilangi also won several awards, including Heart of Service, Best Thank You Note, Best Resume, and Spokesmodel Runner-Up.
Smilangi is actively involved in representing the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Region at the International Humanitarian Law Summit in Washington, volunteering at HonorHealth Hospital, and participating in kidney research. She is a Model UN delegate, trained Indian classical dancer, National Honor Society member, First Lego League state robotics champion, and AP Scholar with Distinction.
The National American Miss pageants aim to celebrate America’s future leaders. Each year, they award $1.5 million in cash, scholarships, and prizes to support young women nationwide.
This pageant program focuses on inner beauty, self-confidence, and personal development. It is designed for girls aged 4 to 24, with no makeup allowed for those under 12. Smilangi’s parents, Navyatha Kappa and Raju Sidhugari, sponsored her in the pageant.